20 THE PRACTICAL G AltDEN - BOOK 



to be bought of florists ( a species of myriophyllum ) . Of ani- 

 mals, there are fishes (particularly minnows), water inscets, 

 tadpoles, clams, snails. If the proper balance is main- 

 tained between plant and animal life, it will not be neces- 

 sary to change the water so frequently. 



Aquatics and Bog Plants. Many water plants 

 are easily grown, and make a fine addition to the home 

 garden. The sedges and other bog plants, the cyperus or 

 umbrella plant, the common wild water lily, and in large 

 grounds the nelumbium or Egyptian lotus, all may be grown 

 with ease. For restricted grounds any of these, with the 

 exception of the nelumbium, may be grown in tubs made by 

 sawing an oaken barrel in two, filling each half from one- 

 third to one-half with soil composed of good loam, sand 

 and leaf-mold, setting the plants well into the soil and fill- 

 ing the tubs with water. These tubs should be sunk to the 

 rim in the borders or lawn, both for a good appearance and 

 to prevent too great evaporation. By a little care in filling 

 with water, these plants may be well grown through the 

 hottest weather. Most of the foreign water lilies are not 

 hardy, but some of them may be grown with ease if the 

 pond is covered in winter. 



Native Aquatics may be colonized in streams or ponds. 

 If artificial ponds are to be made, do not get them too deep. 

 A foot or 15 inches is sufficient depth of water to stand 

 above the crowns of the plants ; and the greatest depth of 

 water should not be more than 2% ft. for all kinds of 

 water lilies. Half this depth is often sufficient. The soil 

 should be 1 to 2 ft. deep, and very rich. Cow manure may 

 be mixed with rich loam. Roots of hardy water lilies may 

 be planted as soon as the pond is clear of frost, but the 

 tender kinds (which are also to be taken up in the fall) 

 should not be planted till it is time to plant out geraniums. 

 Sink the roots into the mud so that they are just buried, and 

 weight them down with a stone or clod. In cold climates, 

 protect the pond of hardy Aquatics by throwing boards over 



