86 How to obtain it. 
the plant has been allowed to grow and also to seed and in a few 
years the case has been hopeless. Nothing short of a good clean 
out would do. Some of the plants of this class are very amenable 
to cutting, especially if the roots be disturbed at the same time. 
Care should be taken always to drag out the portions that have 
been cut. They naturally float and will be driven on to the lee 
shore of the pond by the wind. 
There are several methods by which weeds may be cut in 
the ponds ; if properly kept in check, which ought to be the case, 
there is no difficulty. A simple pruning hook on a long handle 
used from a boat will do good work in most cases. Sometimes 
the dragging of a weighted rope or chain over the bottom ofa 
pond is quite sufficient, and I have successfully adopted this plan 
myself. It is not desirable in cases where it may do harm by 
dragging out plants that should not be interfered with. Where 
any of the free growing plants make their appearance naturally, as 
they sometimes will, it is, however, often very efficacious, and 
may be the means of preventing the eventual choking up of the 
pond. It is a good plan in some cases to drag the plants out by 
the roots, and for this purpose a specially constructed rake may 
be used. It may be made two feet wide and the teeth four inches 
long as arule. Any blacksmith will make one, and the heavier it 
is the better; indeed, it is advisable to fasten a heavy iron bar on 
to it, to keep it well down as it is dragged behind a boat. It may 
have a bag-net attached if desired, to pick up the detached weeds, 
and a more powerful apparatus may be worked from the shore, by 
means of a stout rope and blocks made fast to a tree or to a stake 
in the ground. 
The advantage of the rake or drag is, that it can be used in 
places as may be desirable, whilst other parts of the pond may be 
left free. When properly handled it makes great havoc of the 
plants with which it comes in contact. 
Water plants play a very important part in the economy of 
fish ponds. It is quite possible to maintain a large number of 
fish in a pond in which no plants are visible, but the difference 
between fish grown alongside of suitable aquatic vegetation, and 
those grown in water which is destitute of it is marked. Where 
no plants at first sight appear to exist, there is often a considerable 
