OUR NATIVE PLANTS. 151 



rally growing, couclitious from which we cannot much depart in 

 our culture. Among the Bog Plants we find quite a variety from 

 different families, while the Water Plants proper belong chiefly to 

 the Nj-mphaeaceae. These plants are very valuable to the cultivator, 

 as with them he can beautify unsightly, marshy grounds, as well 

 as add beauty to ponds or streams of water. Where there is no 

 such place naturally, an artificial one can be made by excavating 

 a basin in the lowest part of the garden, in which water will col- 

 lect, or may be introduced by artificial means. 



All plants belonging to this class delight in rich soil, and the 

 full benefit of light and sun. They are propagated from seed and 

 by division of the roots. In the case of water lilies, when it is 

 desired to sow them directly in a pond or lake, the seeds may be 

 put into a small ball of clay, and then dropped into the water. 



To ensure good flowering the water lilies should not have more 

 than one and a half feet of water over their roots in summer ; while 

 from two to four inches is quite sufficient for any bog plant. But 

 in the winter deep water is very advantageous, as it prevents the 

 frost from penetrating to their roots, and forms the best protection 

 that can be given them. 



The queen of all water plants is certainly the Nymphaea, or 

 Water Lily. First we have JSF. odorata, with its beautiful, large, 

 fragrant flowers of pure white color ; then comes the variety 

 minor, similar to the type, but with smaller flowers ; and then 

 again the gem, the rare rose colored variety, which is a beautiful 

 acquisition. N. tuberosa has very large leaves, usually standing 

 straight above the water, while the flowers, which measure as 

 much as nine inches in diameter, are snow white. There are two 

 more species described, namely, ampla and elegans, both natives 

 of Southern States, and said to have white flowers. I have not 

 seen or grown either of the two, and doubt whether they would be 

 hardy here. 



The Nuphar, or Yellow Water Lily, is a similar genus of valu- 

 able plants. N. advena has large leaves, mostly raised above the 

 water, and cup-shaped flowers of a yellow color, sometimes striped 

 .with red. N. luteum has floating leaves and ample yellow flowers, 

 while JV. pumilum looks as if onlj' a smaller form of the forego- 

 ing. JSf. sagittifolium has arrow-shaped leaves and flowers of 

 bright yellow color. The Western N. polysepalum has the largest 

 flowers of this genus. 



