How to obtain it. 93 



situations to the foregoing, but those I have mentioned have been 

 tried, and their introduction has proved beneficial. The subject 

 of pond culture has been so little studied, that the uses of many 

 plants are not yet thoroughly understood, arid care is needed in 

 the introduction of new and untried species. Whilst treating of 

 marginal species, I would point out the advantage arising from the 

 planting of suitable insect producing plants, shrubs, and even 

 trees. Where tree planting is done in the vicinity of a lake or 

 pond, it is very desirable to put in a few suitable specimens near 

 the water. The oak produces a great amount of insect life, and 

 a few alders aTeTn their element by the pond side, and do good. 

 Osiers and willows are also excellent, and, if the right kinds be 

 planted, they may be cut annually, and in this case prove 

 remunerative. 



It is well worth while to bestow a little care on the vegetation 

 surrounding lakes and ponds, for a large amount of insect life 

 may be produced by encouraging the growth of suitable plants. 

 In the case of willows, shrubs, and tall growing plants, it will be 

 found a great advantage to keep them back a little way from the 

 water, so as to leave plenty of room for a path along the edge of 

 the lake. The leaves will not then fall into the water so much, but 

 thousands of insects will, and these will be very good for the fish. 



The introduction of the plants that inhabit comparatively 

 deep water requires much more consideration than is necessary 

 with marginal specimens. The latter can easily be got at, and 

 there is no difficulty in keeping them in order. They are more 

 constantly seen, growing as they do partly above the surface of 

 the water. We know what weeds are in a garden, and how freely 

 they grow. They often grow just as freely at the bottom of the 

 water, and require attention just the same. There is one 

 difference, however, and that is, that when a pond bottom has 

 been properly prepared before filling, the weeds are often many 

 years in making their appearance. When they do commence 

 growing they usually appear in one, or at most, two or three 

 places only, and are at first very easily dealt with. The plants 

 most suitable for introduction, therefore, are those which do not 

 spread too rapidly, and which in spreading do not choke the 

 water to the injury of the fish. 



