77 
[Entered according to Act ot Conm-ea*. m the year 1W5. <.v ’> PabllaHUi K Com puny, in Hie <*iiilo -i the Librarian of ConuroBB ut Washington.! _ 
<<fjlori(|ultui[iti 
AQUARIUM AND FLOWER STAND. mc 
_ wi 
We find the striking and beautiful illustra- r 
tion accompanying this article in the Pacific 
Rural Press, the cut being credited to a Han ^ 
Francisco seedsman (R. J. Trumbull) ; and 
as we aim to give the readers of the Rural ^ 
New Yorker. whatever will interest aud ^ 
profit them, no matter where we find it, so 
long as it can be done legitimately and lion* 
orably, we make no excuse for copying this ^ 
beautiful design from the columns of our ' 
Western contemporary. The cost of the ^ 
stand complete, as shown is narnod as #25 to 
j}30. Dr. P. R. Hoy, a well-known scientific 8 * 
observer and student, of Racine, Wis., is 
credited with having furnished the following 
directions for filling and managing the flower 
stand and aquarium: ^ 
HOW TO FILL THE AQUASIUM. j u 
First, cover the bottom of the tank to the 
depth of one-half inch, with pure Cue sand, 
on top of which put an equal quantity of line 
gravel; over this gravel sprinkle small orna¬ 
mental stones, shells, coral, etc. Everything 
put into the tank must be thoroughly washed. 
Next put in position un ornamental central 
piece of coral, stone, or anything out of which 
you can construct an arch through which the 
fish can readily swim. Now fill the tank one- 
third full, with pure cold water from the 
lake, river or well. 
PLANTS. 
The best aquatic plant for aerating the 
water in the. aquarium, is Anacharis Cana¬ 
densis, found growing under water on the 
bottom of nearly all sluggish streams and 
pouds. The I'alisneria Spiralis (ell-grass) 
is the next best, after which comes the 
Myriaphyllum Verlicellatu/in. There is a 
species of Conftrvu found in rapid streams, 
attached to stones, that is an excellent jerator, 
valuable especially during the winter when 
other plants do not flourish. If you get the 
Anacharis, remove all decayed stems and 
leaves, wash clean, and arrange in packets of 
ten to fifteen. Make- a hole in the saud, in¬ 
sert the butt-end of the plants, and secure in 
this position by pressing small stones about 
them. Insert in this way about six to eight 
bunches, and be careful to make them secure 
at the bottom. Roots are not necessary, as 
the cuttings will soon send out lino, white 
rootlets. Now you are ready to till up the 
tank with water to within one and a half 
inohes of the top. Wait two or thro >. days 
before introducing the fish, that the plants 
may have time to commence growing. 
THE FISH. 
Almost any small species of fish may thrive 
in the aquarium, but we think the best for 
the purpose are the red-bellied minnows 
and sticklebacks, ail found in small streams. 
Select small fish; from four to eight for a 
tank holding from eight to twelve gallons. 
Such a tank will support four small ones 
better than one larger, introduce also ten 
or twelve water snails. The Lymnat are the 
best; yet the Plant)rbis and the Physn are 
interesting. Better, however, got a few of 
every kind you can find in the ponds and 
stagnant pools in your vicinity. They feed 
on the softest parts of aquatic plants, and 
do not exhaust the oxygen mixed with the 
water, for they are air-breathing, and have 
to come to the surface to take in a supply of 
air to be used while they go about cleansing 
i the plants and glass of the tank with their 
curiously constructed jaws. 
The best food for the fish is angle-worms 
and flies in summer, and fine bits of fresh 
raw meat in winter. Never give the fish 
more than they can cat at one time, for 
whatever is left will injure the water. 
POSITION. 
The best place for the aquarium is where 
it will be exposed to the sun at least one 
hour each day, in order that the plants may 
exhale oxygen, which can only take place 
under the stimulus of light. Too much light, 
however, is to be avoided, ns the fish do not 
thrive when exposed to the sun, and the 
glass will be soiled by conferees, a green 
vegetable matter. In summer an out-door 
position is best, If there be sufficient shade, 
it is well to cover the aquarium, both for the 
shade and to keep the fish from leaping out 
of the tank, 
CLEANSIHO THE AQUARIUM. 
If well balanced with plants, fish and shells, 
the water will remain sweet for an indefinite 
time. We have an aquarium that has been 
in service for the last twelve years, and 
BENEFITS. 
A well regulated aquarium is a beautiful 
ornament for the home, and one which is a 
perpetual source of amusement and instruc¬ 
tion. It has the peculiar advantage of mak¬ 
ing us acquainted with forms and habits ol 
animated existence which are commonly hid 
from our inspection. Thus its influence upon 
the family circle is wholesome and elevating, 
tending constantly to awaken in all the mem¬ 
ber*, both young and old, an Increased love 
for the contemplation of the wondrdus skill 
and wisdom of the Drear, Creator. 
AMPHIBIOUS ANIMALS. 
If lizards, frogs or other amphibious ani¬ 
mals are introduced, they should ho pro¬ 
vided with some surface above the water to 
climb upon. The rocks may be built above 
the water, or a piece of flat cork may be Al¬ 
lowed to float upon it, when the animals 
will climb and produce no small amount of 
amusement and instruction. 
OOLO FISH. 
Gold fish may be kept ten or twelve years, 
^GiTT-A-EilTJIS/r A.TSTI5 FLOWER STA3SII3. 
2d. Use the same kind of water, whether 
well or river; change it every other day in 
summer and twice each week in water. 
3d.*Keep clean saud and pebbles at the 
bottom, washing it occasionally or replacing 
with a fresh supply. 
4th. Use a small net rather than the hand 
while changing the water. 
5th. Feed with cracker, yolk of egg, let¬ 
tuce or flies, one each week, except in cold 
weather. Feed but little at a time. Remove 
any crumbs that may remain on the surface 
alter feeding. 
fith. Do uot feed at all from November to 
the end of February, and but little during 
the following three months. 
7th. If there are growing plants in the 
aquarium, water need be changed but rarely. 
3th. Keep from sun and in coolest part of 
room. 
— - - 
THE WINTER WINDOW GARDEN. 
Yes, how many lovers of flowers are 
mourning over its desolation and feeling 
almost incensed at sly Jack Frost, the de¬ 
stroyer of their idol, upon which weeks and 
weeks of tender care and nursing have been 
spent I The lovely Primrose or Cyclamen of 
to-night is nipped or frozen stiff by morning, 
because we did not expect so sudden a 
change in the weather, and now our pets 
arc dead, and their absence seems a real de¬ 
privation. This is really discouraging ; but 
we must not be discouraged, when we re¬ 
member that it is by our own neglect that 
our flowers were frozen, and such a loss 
should only increase our determination to 
succeed. The utmost cure in our changeable 
climate will only succeed in having a beau¬ 
tiful display of flowers all winter. 
In many cases where plants are but slightly 
frosted they can be entirely revived by 
plunging them Immediately in cold water 
and putting them in a dark place until they 
thaw out. The better way is, however, not 
to let them freeze at all; and at night, when 
there is the least danger of freezing, better 
cover paper over and around each plant, for 
want of surer protection, and do not let the 
fire go out. Bulbs are so much easier grown 
and cared for, 1 wonder they are not grown 
more ; they certainly afford equal pleasure. 
We now have a beautiful display of Ci*ocuses 
and Hyacinths before our window. The 
Hedgehog and Beehive (earthen figures) are 
perfect masses of crocus bloom, of purple, 
white and yellow. These figures arc per¬ 
forated with about 50 small holes, and in the 
fall we place the crown of each Crocus bulb 
to each hole aud pack the inside perfectly 
tight with moss and a little sand, which 
holds the bulbs in position and which they 
goon fill with roots. Now, in Hie cold, bleak 
winter, we are rewarded by the pretty flow¬ 
ers which shoot up through each hole. We 
also have some Hyacinths which are grown 
in glasses, and they are truly a, constant 
pleasure. One purple variety, named Lonl 
Melville, is very superior. I find that those 
bulbs which have most root growth bear a 
poorer flower truss than those of only mode¬ 
rate root growth. When the roots ure about 
4 or 5 inches long the flower stalk should 
start to grow, which it will do if the bulb is 
brought to the light. Every one should grow 
bulbs for their winter window flower gar¬ 
den. . . . _. p * s - p * 
which does not require a change of water (their average period of existence), by using 
oftner than once or twice a year, and then the following precautions: . 
only to renew the sand which' becomes filled 1st; Allow not more than one fish to two 
with excrementitious matter. quarts of water. 
Changing the Colors ok F lowers.— A re¬ 
cent writer says “ When a lad I used to 
apply blood from a neighboring slaughter¬ 
house to Cowslips and Paigles, which changed 
the blossom to a reddish shade. 
NEW YORK, AND ROCHESTER, N. Y„ MARCH 13, 1875. 
VOL. XXXI. No. 11.1 
WHOLE No. 1311. 1 
PRICE six CENTS*. 
*2.05 PUR YEAR. 
