CHAPTER III 



FISH PONDS CULTIVATION CONTINUED. 



Marginal plants Insect life Plants for deep water Plants to avoid 

 Advantages of water lilies Bottom-covering plants A fish-eating plant Ponds 

 at Washington Mollusca Crustaceans Eels How to catch them. 



IWf ANY of the marginal plants are very interesting, and all are 

 more or less ornamental. The great spearwort (Ranunculus 

 lingua) with its handsome yellow flowers is one of these. 



The lesser spearwort (Ranunculus flammula) is another plant 

 which grows freely at the edges of lakes, and although its natural 

 habitat is oftener in bogs and ditches, yet it is a very useful little 

 plant, which I have frequently grown extensively in raceways and 

 fry nurseries. When submerged in water a foot deep it sends up 

 long stems supporting floating leaves and becomes an interesting 

 looking aquatic. I have often recommended it for the aquarium, 

 where it has given great satisfaction. It is very hardy, and will 

 grow in almost any place where there is moisture. There are 

 several closely allied species. 



Another plant that is easily grown is the brooklime ( Verotiica 

 beccabungd). This also is a very useful plant, and, being hardy, 

 succeeds anywhere. It is said to be very good for cattle, and it 

 is certainly in its right place at the edge of a fish pond. 



One of the most beautiful of our marginal plants is the bog 

 bean (Mtny anther trifoliata), which grows either in the water or 

 out of it. It delights in the border of a lake where there is a bed 

 of soil or turf from which it can spring, and from this it will grow 

 out as a floating plant, sometimes for many feet. It is very 

 amenable to cultivation, and the exquisite flowers are often much 

 improved thereby. Before opening they are of a bright rose tint, 



