House and Garden 
water garden. Perhaps the 
most interesting of these is 
C. papyrus, the real plant which 
provided the ancient Egyptians 
with the renowned writing ma¬ 
terial. This species is one of 
the largest of the group and 
will grow to a height of ten feet. 
A pretty little hardy variety, 
Cyperus longus, is useful when a 
smaller plant is required. A 
genus of Brazilian water plants 
is valuable on account of the 
rapid growth made under fav¬ 
orable conditions. The prin¬ 
cipal species, L. emarginata, is 
a pretty plant producing bright 
yellow flowers in July. It is a 
perennial in habit and will 
spread over a considerable area 
if it can be planted out in the 
shallows of a water garden; 
such a position can often be de¬ 
vised by the arrangement of a submerged platform. 
On the other hand, this species is well suited for 
culture in pots or tubs, which receptacles should 
be filled with a rich loam. A very handsome group of 
stove and hardy aquatics is represented by the genus 
Pontedcna, although the tender species are now 7 gen¬ 
erally referred to as Euchromia. The two hardy 
varieties, P. ccerulea and P. cordata, all flourish well 
under glass, and with their fine display of blue 
flowers are an attractive addition to any w 7 ater garden. 
The two principal stove species, E. azurea and E. 
speciosa, are not quite so imposing in their growth, 
but produce showy blossoms. All the Pontedenas 
and their allies delight in a rich loamy soil and may 
he grown w 7 ell in pots or tubs. An evergreen species 
of water plant that has proved itself to be quite hardy 
in mild localities is Thalia dealbata. It is thoroughly 
at home in the warm house and will often attain to a 
considerable size, producing white flowers in great 
abundance. Where space is available a few of 
the interesting 
floating aquat- 
i c s should 
certainly be 
cultivated. 
Amongst the 
most remarka¬ 
ble of these 
quaint plants 
is the tropical 
duckweed ( Pis- 
tia Strati otes) 
a species with 
vivid green 
leaves and 
inconspicuous flowers. Salvinia 
natans is a charming little float¬ 
ing annual, and is notable for 
the fact that the plant has no 
visible roots at all. One more 
of these strange aquatics w hich, 
although perfectly hardy, thrives 
well in a glass house is Azolla 
Carohniana. It does not re¬ 
quire any soil at all and will 
make itself at home anywhere 
if small portions are just placed 
upon the surface of the water. 
It has been hinted that a very 
attractive form of water garden 
may be constructed on the floor 
level. I bis, if designed in the 
fashion of pools irregular in 
shape and built round with 
natural rockw 7 ork, may be 
made very effective. All the re¬ 
sources of the fernery should be 
brought to bear to fill the rock 
crevices with plants, and in the water many of the 
species mentioned in the foregoing paragraphs w ill 
grow well even should they not attain to the per¬ 
fection which they would in more sunny situations. 
The atmosphere must he kept in a moist condition 
and shading from the bright rays of the sun provided 
and then in a w onderfully short time Nature w ill deck 
out the rockwork with lovely green mosses. As the 
maker of this water garden and fernery proceeds 
he will find that he will he able to add many little 
touches yet further to enhance the naturalness of the 
display. 
Now a word as to the various enemies with which 
one must constantly contend in his water garden. 
Perhaps the worst foe of the outdoor garden will 
be the muskrat. He must be trapped or shot. 
The aphis, or green-fly, is sometimes troublesome, 
and is perhaps best disposed of by their natural 
enemy, the “ lady bird.” Syringing and spraying 
with tobacco water is also most effective. Another 
troublesome 
pest is the leaf- 
miner. He can 
he thoroughly 
exterminated 
with kerosene 
emulsion, ap¬ 
plied the same 
as with other 
plants. Fun¬ 
gous diseases 
may be con¬ 
quered with 
bordeaux mix¬ 
ture. 
A Most Effective Groupin 
A Charming Water Garden Under Glass 
50 
