AQUATIC AND BOG PLANTS. 



379 



kinds thrive best in shallow tanks or pools of 

 clear, still (not running) water, because, when 

 exposed to full sunshine it becomes naturally 



heated to its fullest extent, running water being 

 much cooler. Wherever warm springs exist 

 naturally and can be led into shallow tanks or 



Fig. 471.— Pond for Aquatics at Enys, Cornwall. 



pools, the best results might be obtained. In a 

 few cases open-air tanks have been heated arti- 

 ficially by hot-water pipes, and not only tropical 



Nymphasas, but even the Victoria regia, Eur y ale 

 ferox, and other stove aquatics have been flowered 

 in them. 



Fig. 472.— Stream Garden. 



The brook or stream side may be beautified 

 and filled with interest by clothing it with suit- 

 able vegetation, as, for instance, the Fern-fringed 

 streamlet shown at fig. 472. 



As to soil, good loam enriched with cow 

 manure, or pond mud, form the best compost, 

 and may be covered with a thin layer of gravel 

 so as to keep the water clear. Nymphaeas espe- 

 cially require ample room, and should be kept 



clear of weeds. Water-fowl, rats, and voles often 

 do much damage, as also does the caddis-worm. 

 With the advent of the French and American 

 hybrid and seedling Nymphaeas a new and bril- 

 liant era of aquatic gardening has opened up 

 within the last decade; and the wonder is that 

 more attention is not given to aquatic plants in 

 the London parks. 



At Kew, Gunnersbury House, at Gravetye 



