344 



MY GARDEN. 



By the side of the Backwater, we have a grand and glorious weed, 

 called the Petasites vulgaris. Johns speaks of it as the most pernicious 

 of weeds, but growing as it does with us, it is one of the grandest of 

 plants. The flowers come up in early spring, before the leaves, but 

 afterwards the foliage appears, having more the character of tropical 

 vegetation than that of a temperate region. The effect of the plant is 



well shown in plate 18, which represents the 

 glorious mass of foliage that it exhibits in 

 summer. This plant must be introduced in 

 wild spots only where it can have abundance 

 of space and ample moisture. 



Another fine foliaged plant is the Ruincx 

 aquaticus (fig. 790), which attains a height of 

 six feet. We have a very fine specimen of 

 it growing in the river at the park fence, 

 which is remarkably handsome. The R. aqua- 

 ticus, or Water Dock, is to be seen along the 

 banks of the Thames, and it is one of those 

 plants which impart a special character to the scene. 



The Gigantic Parsnip (Heracleum giganteunt) is a splendid plant 

 for effect, in suitable positions. I have it in the garden, but not of 

 the highest quality. 



The Sow Thistle requires constant attention for its eradication, and 

 the Creeping Ranunculus is a troublesome weed. The beautiful Thistle 

 comes up in our fields, but the spade of the gardener always 

 prevents it from seeding: thereby I am so merciless as to deprive 

 my pet caged goldfinch which continually enlivens me with its 

 cheerful song of this its favourite dessert. 



" Pro molli viola, pro purpureo narcisso 

 Carduus et spinis surgit paliurus acutis." 



VIRGIL, Bucolics. 



Of course grass will grow, but, as before mentioned, we are 

 singularly free from troublesome weeds, thanks to the diligence of the 

 gardener. Weeds need not at all times be profitless ; for raspberries, 



FIG. 790. Water Dock. 



