THE CHRYSANTHEMUM. 147 



ing leaves variegated in exactly the same manner as a 

 porcupine quill, with alternate bands of green jmd pure 

 white. It may be grown either as an aquatic or as a gar- 

 den plant, but should never be grown with the crowns 

 of the plant under water, for then the leaves lose much 

 of their variegation. Perfectly hardy. 



Sagitiaria Kagittifolia Fl. PI. (Double Flowered Ar- 

 row-Head ). The foliage of this plant is similar to our 

 native species, but the flowers are an immense improve- 

 ment, rnak.'ng it one of the most charming additions to 

 any collection of aquatics. The flowers are borne on 

 spikes two feet high ; are as large, full, and double as 

 the finest Carnation or double Balsam, and as white us 

 the driven snow. Perfectly hardy. 



Sagittaria Variabilis (the Arrow-Head). A native 

 plant suicable for shallow water, growing about two 

 feet high, bearing arrow-shaped leaves and pearly- white 

 flowers. 



Pontederia Cordata. Another interesting plant for 

 shallow water, with heart-shaped leaves and spikes of 

 blue flowers, produced all summer. 



CHAPTER XXIV. 

 THE CHRYSANTHEMUM. 



NEXT to the Rose, no plant is now so popular as the 

 Chrysanthemum. It is only some ten or twelve years 

 since, in this country, its great value as an ornamental 

 plant for the fall and early winter months has been fully 

 realized, although it has been long valued in Europe, 

 where it forms the great attraction in all the floral exhi- 

 bitions of autumn. The first great Chrysanthemum 

 Show was given in New York some five years ago, and 



