INTRODUCTORY. 7 



marks the commencement of the cultivation of aquatics in the United States. 

 Little progress, however, was made; the indulgence in the new cult involved 

 considerable labor and expense, and only the few could enjoy such a floral 

 luxury. In 1853 Mr. John Fisk Allen, of Salem, Mass., exhibited a leaf and 

 flower of Victoria before the Massachusetts Horticultural Society ; other 

 aquatics were also exhibited, and the cultivation of such increased somewhat, 

 but it was not until it was found that the Egyptian Lotus, Nelumbiuni specio- 

 sum, was quite hardy that aquatic gardening commanded real attention. The 

 introduction of that plant, as well as of several species of Nymphasa, into the 

 pubHc parks and gardens became general throughout the United States. At 

 the present time exhibitions are not complete without a display of aquatic 

 flowers, and they have ever proved to be a special feature and centre of attrac- 

 tion wherever shown. The aquatic plants at the World's Fair and in the 

 public parks at Chicago attracted considerable interest, and their cultivation 

 has increased by rapid strides since that time. 



