146 FLOWERS AND THE FLOWEB GAKDEN. 



it. Most plants which grow positively in the water are 

 best to be planted in wicker baskets of earth ; cover 

 the surface of the earth with haybands twisted back- 

 wards and forwards, and round the plant, and lace it 

 down securely with strong twine ; this is to keep in the 

 earth and the plant. With the aid of a plank laid across 

 the water, lower the plant and its hamper into its 

 place. 



The Calla Ethiopica, that pretty large white flower 

 which we used years back to call an Arum, is a hardy 

 bulb, which will do well in the plain ground in the 

 flower garden, if it be well protected from frost in 

 winter. Both it and the marsh Calla, Calla palustris, 

 are water plants, and will bear our winters with the 

 roots under water. They thrive when planted in water, 

 from their power of discharging superabundant mois- 

 ture from the tips of the leaves. Plant the roots in 

 wicker baskets, and sink them where the water is not 

 more than three feet deep, as the plants will not flower 

 until the leaves are above water, and they would grow 

 weak if too tall. 



The Calla is a handsome plant for pot culture, and 

 produces its fine white flowers in spring. It is increased 

 by offsets from the roots in August or September. Plant 

 the offsets singly in little pots well drained, in sandy 

 loam mixed with one-fourth leaf-mould, or well rotted 

 manure. Water well while they are growing, and 

 scantily after the leaves begin to wither, and afterwards 

 give only enough to keep the plants alive. Leave the 

 Cala plants in the light while the leaves die off, and 

 then place them in some shed, in complete repose, 

 for about a month. In October or November repot, 

 and give plenty of water, especially if they stand in a 

 sitting room with a fire. They may stand in saucers 

 of water, but the saucers must be emptied every day. 



The beautiful white Water Lily, Nymphaa alba, grows 

 best in a muddy bottom, in deep water ; its large milk 

 white flowers are very fine. 



The Water Violet floats, root and all. It only needs 

 to be laid upon the water. The Aponogeton distacliyon 



