OULTtrfiE OF WATER LILIES, ETC. 137 



finely divided as the most delicate fern. The ends of 

 these creeping stems stand erect, forming beautiful tufts 

 or tassels. The plant may be hardy, but is better kept 

 in a pan or tub placed in a cool greenhouse, where it 

 forms a very pretty object in winter. It might also be 

 grown in a water-tight hanging basket. 



Ceratopleris Thalictroides (the Water Fern). This is 

 an extremely curious and interesting Fern, growing with 

 its roots entirely submerged in water, either in a pot or 

 planted out in a shallow place in the Water Lily basin. 

 The fronds are from one to three feet high, and beauti- 

 fully forked. The finest ones are produced on plants 

 kept in a little shade. It is sometimes called the "Float- 

 ing Stag's Horn Fern. " It must be wintered in a 

 warm greenhouse. 



Hedychium Acuminatum (the Garland Flower). 

 Hedychiums belong to the family of the Ginger plant. 

 This species grows from four to six feet high, each flower 

 spike producing, for several weeks in succession, lovely 

 snow-white blossoms, over two inches across, resembling 

 an Orchid in form, and deliciously scented. It may be 

 grown as a semi-aquatic by planting it in a tub, and 

 placing it where the soil will be kept wet, but the 

 crowns must not be immersed. If kept warm enough it 

 will flower the whole year round. 



Canna Ehcmani. This is the most magnificent Canna 

 ever introduced. It grows to a hight of five or six feet, 

 with large, green, banana-like foliage, and the flowers 

 are marvelous in size, being as large as a Gladiolus 

 bloom. They are of a rich, crimson scarlet color, and 

 hang pendant in clusters from the top of the plant. 

 Each stalk produces a succession of these clusters, one 

 after another, for a long time. This Canna may be 

 treated as a semi-aquatic by planting it in a large tub, 

 although it is usually grown as the ordinary garden Canna. 



