26 
NOTES ON DECORATIVE GARDENING. 
yvwvwA^ 
y *s yj *y *s \/ \j v> 
and broken charcoal. Maintain a brisk bottom heat of not less than 80 degrees, and an atmo¬ 
spheric temperature of from 65 to 75, with abundance of moisture, and a free circulation of air. 
As the plants progress in growth peg the shoots out horizontally, to form a good foundation, 
and water occasionally with weak manure water. When the plants require it give a second 
shift, and stop rude growth, so as to form compact specimens. If it is wished to bloom the 
plants the first season they must not be grown too late in the autumn, but air must be admitted 
freely, so as to ripen the wood, and set the flower-buds before winter commences. Pursue the 
same treatment in the second year, but keep the plants in a comparatively dry atmosphere 
through the winter. Guard against insects, and success is certain.—A. 
NOTES ON DECORATIVE GARDENING. 
By H. NOEL HUMPHREYS, Esq, 
ARTIFICIAL WATER IN GARDENESQUE SCENERY, FOR GROWING AQUATIC PLANTS. 
7j7ATER, in a state of repose, produces the best effect when it is introduced in the lower portions of 
undulating grounds, such seeming the more natural position ; and the best artificial effects, 
though they must be arbitrary to a certain extent, are always most successful when based upon the 
laws of natural phenomena. Thus, a series of fish-ponds rendered decorative by stone dressings, &c., 
or shallow canals for the cultivation of aquatic plants in the open air, which may he made very 
ornamental, as shown in our illustrations, are best suited to the lower levels of an ornamental garden, 
where also the water plants, some of them of delicate constitution, are more sheltered from the cutting 
winds of our variable and sometimes bleak climate. In such a situation, for instance, the common 
Arum (Calla, or Richardia), a native of St. Helena and the Cape, where it grows in the rich soil at 
the edges of rivers, may be cultivated with success ; the roots being secured in concavities formed of 
cement , of which the bed of the canal is formed, and which should be about a foot below the surface 
of the water. Managed in this manner, this plant, rearing its head high above the water, might be 
made to form a very picturesque contrast to the Water Lily, which rests its graceful head upon the 
surface, as Mrs. Hemans has beautifully said:— 
“A sculpture-like, and stately river queen.” 
The supply for a canal of this description may be derived from the water of fountains occupying 
the higher level of the gardens, whence, after having performed its tour deforce as a jet twenty feet 
high, or formed a temple of moving crystal, and many other devices, it may he made to descend in 
properly prepared channels to the lower levels of the garden, to feed canals of this description, con¬ 
structed for the purpose of growing ornamental aquatic plants, particularly such as require the 
stimulant of running water. 
The annexed engraving (No. 1) is a design for a shallow canal or tank of this description. At the upper 
end the water enters, as shown, from a conduit, falling in a very thin sheet over a lead form contrived 
expressly to spread it as much as possible, and thus make an exceedingly small supply produce the effect 
of a continual cascade. In a similar manner it falls at the lower end into a basin, from which an in¬ 
visible outlet leads to a drain or conduit to carry the waste away, or to conduct it to some reserve 
tank for common gardening purposes. On each side of the canal is a shallower channel, contrived ex¬ 
pressly for the growth of plants requiring more careful treatment. The receptacles for the soil, sufficiently 
massive to remain a steadily at the bottom of the B channel, might be very 
neatly contrived in __ „ -=■ the following manner :—A is a _ hollow receptacle, and B 
is a lid pierced with 
in the receptacle A, 
holes as marked. The plant 
the cement lid B, which fits 
being placed with earth 
pretty tightly, is fixed 
on, and the plant throws up its shoots through the apertures prepared for that purpose. By this means the 
soil is not washed away by the action of the water, nor is the water rendered muddy on the slightest 
disturbance, as would be the case were not the soil about the roots of the plants secured in this or some 
other manner. The water in a canal, the sides and bed of which should be composed of Portland cement, 
might by these precautions be kept continually limpid, which the gentle supply of fresh water would 
tend to ensure. The addition of gold and silver fish, in water as clear as this would be, would form 
a great addition to the general effect, furnishing colour in rapid and fantastic motion, as a strong 
contrast to the still colours of the plants. 
A canal of geometric figure of this description should have stone or cement dressings of an architec- 
