WEEDS AND WILD PLANTS. 



335 



beautiful weed which appears abundantly in spring, is the Ranunculus 

 ficaria (fig. 759). It has brilliant yellow blossoms and a shining leaf. 

 There is scarcely even a cultivated flower which is finer. After this the 

 Marsh Mangold (Caltha palustris, fig. 760) comes up, and we preserve 



FIG. 759. Ranunculus ficaria. 



FIG. 760. Caltha palustris. 



FIG. 761. Yellow Water Iris. 



it. The flower is most noble, and at a particular period of the year 

 it is the special glory of the garden.. There is a double variety of it 

 very beautiful, but not so beautiful as the natural blossom. Although 

 a wild plant, it should always be grown. 



By the side of our lake the Yellow Water Iris (Iris pseud-acorus, 

 % 76i) grows in great perfection. It was not at first an inhabitant 

 of my garden, though it grew abun- 

 dantly in the next field, but we have 

 it now in large quantities. A flower- 

 spike when gathered has the rare merit 

 of preserving its blossom for a con- 

 siderable period. 



The Bulrush (fig. 762) also is a 

 plant imported from the next field. 

 Together with the Iris, it forms a 

 capital shelter for moor-fowl, which 

 now abound in the lake. 



Another wild flower, the Purple 

 Loosestrife (Ly thrum salicaria, fig. 

 763), contributes much to the beauty of all river-sides in midsummer. 

 It comes up naturally all over my grounds, and is perennial. It 

 forms heads of a purplish red, which are magnificent. We also 



FIG. 762. Bulrush. 



FIG. 763. Purple 

 Loosestrife. 



