1870 .] 
AQUATICS.-CHAPTER II. 
77 
larias as they advance in growth. Many kinds of Hard-wooded plants will be in 
great beauty, and should be well attended to. Shift all young growing plants 
that require it. See our remarks of last month. 
Pits and Frames. —These should now be made the most of. One or two 
should be hot-beds for the propagation of plants of all kinds for autumn, as well 
as for summer decoration. One or two should also be hot-beds for the growth of 
Globe Amaranths.^ Ilmneas.^ Egg plants, Cockscombs., Balsams, &c. The cold pits 
and frames should be used for gradually hardening off Bedding plants of all kinds ; 
give air freely, but do not yet take the lights wholly off. 
Sow: Balsams, Cockscombs, Cinerarias, Primulas, Cyclamens, Humeas, Zinnias, Asters, 
Carnations, Stocks, Globe Amaranths, Egg plants, &c. They should bo sown in shallow pans, 
and placed in a gentle bottom-heat, and as soon as fit should be either potted off singly into 
small pots, or pricked out into pans, and grown on in heat. 
Ont-Doors. —Loosen carefully the surface-soil between Bidbs, and protect with 
temporary covers in bad weather. Finish pruning Boses, if not already done, 
and do not suffer any suckers to rob the plants. If the weather be dry, water 
newly-planted ones, and see that standards are properly secured to stakes. Dress 
box edgings. Sweep and roll walks and lawns, and mow before the grass begins 
to grow much. 
Soio: Mignonette, Sweet Peas, Wallflowers, Sweet Williams, Nemophila, Clarkia, Gilia, 
and other hardy annuals; also Biennials and Perennials of all kinds. 
—M. Saul, Stourton. 
AQUATICS.— Chapter II. 
HE sudden splash and flutter of that retreating dab-chick or waten-hen, 
whose erect white tail has just disappeared with sundry convulsive twitches 
among the sedges, and the grateful aromatic odour arising from the 
newly-bruised water-mint beneath our feet, irresistibly remind us that we 
are again on swampy ground. 
And here we meet with an old acquaintance, the Water Archer or Common 
Arrowhead, Sagittaria sagittifolia, the leaves of which, as its name imports, 
bear a striking resemblance to the head of an arrow or halberd. The 
simple rehearsal of the name sends us some centuries back, and brings 
vividly to our imagination the brave doings at Agincourt or Oressy, and also 
serves to remind us in passing of the valiant deeds of our Cheshire archers in 
days of yore. 
This species is well adapted for a pond or lake of moderate size, having from 
two to five feet depth of water. It is curious to observe how the plant will 
adapt itself to circumstances in this respect, for if planted five feet deep it will send 
up its leaves and flowers from a foot to eighteen inches above the water, and if in 
but two feet of water it will do the same. Being a perennial, and having a 
creeping root-stock, forming numerous elongated tubers in the growing season, it 
soon forms a nice mass, and is useful, as being of a very upright growth and 
