ON AQUATIC PLANTS. 



867 



of a contrivance that is satisfactory in its employment is often 

 its chief recommendation, more especially when it admits of 

 extended application. 



From a successful employment of simple contrivances encourage- 

 ment may be derived for engaging in more enterprising efforts 

 with respect to growing some of the choicer or rarer kinds that 

 need but a limited space in which to develop their full beauty. 

 This plan would likewise be of occasional service for the accom- 

 modation of reserves or duplicates, or for any of the smaller 

 plants that may be required to be kept under close observation. 

 Enough has been said to show that at least something may be 

 done in the way of successfully growing a few of these plants 

 without the aid of any very elaborate appliances. 



In numerous instances there may be already means at hand, in 

 the form of tanks which have been constructed for the storage 

 of water, that could be at once utilised for the reception of some 

 of the many beautiful hardy Nymphseas now so readily obtainable ; 

 but it should be remembered that, excepting when the tank is of 

 large dimensions, those of a neat habit will be preferable for this 

 purpose to vigorous-growing kinds. The planting and arranging 

 of them are largely discretionary, the use of tubs or boxes for the 

 former being a matter of convenience ; but in their arrangement, 

 as far as practicable the alternating of dark and light shades of 

 colour may be generally depended on to produce a pleasing 

 effect during their season of flowering. These observations are 

 intended to apply to tanks that are already in existence : the con- 

 struction of new ones will be dealt with further on in this chapter. 



Hardy Plants. 



The possession of ponds or lakes is the great desideratum for 

 exemplifying the admirable effects that can be produced by these 

 plants when their cultivation is as skilfully undertaken as is the 

 case with many other things. It is to the initial step that may 

 be attributed the measure of success that often rewards the efforts 

 made in attaining its accomplishment ; so is it in respect to 

 what could aptly be termed an ideal water-garden. A natural 

 taste combined with a practical knowledge is essential in carrying 

 out the details of this kind of work, which should be done in 

 accordance with a carefully-designed plan. It is here that the 

 advantage of consulting an expert in this department of horti- 

 culture is of primary importance, and it is indeed within his 

 province to direct the scheme throughout to a successful issue. 

 Even when everything has been carefully done that seems to be 

 necessary to ensure establishing Nymphceas in large ponds or 



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