223 
PARK AND CEA\ETEF^Y. 
three varieties of Limnanthemum including the ex- 
quisite little water daisy, Cyperus alternifolius, varie- 
gated Scrirpus, the vivid green velvety rosettes of 
Pistia Stratioides, Salvinia natans with dainty 
miniature foliage, and the tiny water fern Azolia 
Caroliniana, was perfect. Piach species and variety 
found a home to its liking in the various conditions 
of depths and shallows, shade and sunlight, open 
and sheltered places afforded. And from among the 
interstices of rocks grouped at intervals on the banks, 
plumy sprays of Parrot feather, ( Myriophyllum ), was 
allowed to mingle at will among the other plants, 
being, however, held in check by judicious pruning. 
The fairy-like blossoms of the water daisy were for 
the first time seen in a setting that did not dwarf 
them. A thick hedge of water hyacinths outlined 
one side of a crescent shaped pool and in other 
places bordered narrow inlets or grew like lu.xuri- 
ant floating islands on the water, seeming to grow 
and flower with the same abandon as in the 
canals and bayous of New Orleans where it has be- 
come naturalized and threatens to drive out, not 
only native growths, but navigation as well. For- 
get-me-not flourished amazingly in the fullest sun- 
shine where its roots were entirely submerged, and 
in the swampy margins of the water way beefs of 
double white Sagittaria Japonica, the more com- 
mon S. Montividensis and groups of Acorus varie- 
gata did splendidly and gave pleasing variety. And 
at intervals near the water grew clumps of Eulalia 
gracillima; Colocasia escidenta, and C. odorata or 
Tara plant with immense leaves and edible stems, 
both members of the Caladium family; Cannas faced 
with Pcnnisetuvi longistylimi; the great reed Arundo 
Donax; the extremely decorative Papyrus anti- 
qitonmi or true Egyptian paper plant; and several 
species of bamboo, viz: Pambusa arundiana, P. 
Metake, P. Nana, P. Argentea, P. Aurea, P. Vul- 
garis, P. Tortience and Arundiana falcata. The 
Reed, Pap\’rus and Pamboos were grown in rather 
swampy soil, did well and were ornamental the sea- 
son through. They fitted the position, too, by har- 
monizing with their surroundings in habit and foli- 
age. Indeed the raison d’etre for this paper lies in 
calling attention to the combination of plants used 
in the water garden and its vicinity to the end of 
having others follow suit, because the result was so 
harmonious and altogether good. 
Several plants that would have been especially 
at home in the swampy land near the water were 
missing, probably because their best effect is fleet- 
ing compared with most of those used. Some of 
them however are so desirable for a time that they 
are worthy of a place in such designs, the more so 
that they arc not unsightly even when their best 
stage is past, and when they are, the planting can 
be so arranged that they can be cut off and their 
places taken or covered over by adjoining plantings. 
Those to be most highly recommended arc Irises in 
variety but particularly the e.xquisite Japan Irises 
that would be in their natural environment in such 
localities. And nothing could be finer than single 
specimens or groups of the hardy and very handsome 
Hcraclcum gigantcum or Giant Parsnip. 
This really stately plant is, I think, not much 
used in the West but in the East it is given the 
place it richly deserves as an ornamental plant of 
great worth. It is perfectly hardy in swampy soil 
A lirr OF THE VIC'IORIA TOOT. 
around Chicago, where it grows wild in at least one 
locality and makes, in early summer, a show worth 
going to see. It grows in moist land, attains a 
height of nine or ten feet, and each stalk bears num- 
erous enormous corymbs of pure white flowers of 
the familiar Parsnip type and very attractive. The 
foliage is large, deeply cut and effective and the en- 
tire plant semi-tropical in appearance. The great 
stalks must be cut off after flowering as they become 
unsightly if allowed to stand. 
Referring to our illustrations: The Lotus bed 
shows plants only one year old that were placed in 
the pool in June after their growth was well estab- 
lished — this is considered by Mr. James Gurney, 
Supt. of the park, essential to their successful 
