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Water gardening is as fascinating a hobby
as any other of the specialized forms of
gardening. The water lily enthusiast, for
example, will wax as enthusiastic over his
blooms as the sweet pea or rose lover will
over his. There is more than an ordinary
thrill in the pond keeper's breast when his
flowers rise, like Astarte herself, from the
water.
He may amass a collection of plants from
wayside streams and ponds, or, if he can
afford it, from some reputable nurseryman.
The latter course is by far the better ; the
plants will be free from blanket weed and
other objectionable intruders and, from being
cultivated, will bear finer blooms. In effect,
it is preferable to have a few choice plants at
the onset-they will multiply in time-than
a host of inferior ' weeds.'
Plants can either make or mar the pond
and should be chosen carefully, with due
regard to the surrounding garden. Generally,
bold masses of one particular plant give a better
effect than straggly tufts of assorted varieties.
If possible, plants with different flowering
seasons should be chosen, although there is
but little latitude in this respect, very few
aquatic plants flower other than between
March and October. Still, some are earlier
and others later in flowering, and this should
be taken into consideration.
The actual planting should not be a hap-
hazard, slapdash sort of business. The plant,
if it has a root, should be inserted into a small
hole-this before the pond is filled, an inch
or so of water only should cover the soil
during planting operations. Press the soil
firmly but not tightly round the roots and
then give the plant a slight tug until the crown
of the root is above the soil. (See Fig. 12.)
Some plants thrive best in rich, well manured
soils and these may be planted in small pots
and lowered into the pond. Plants with
filamentous roots-such as Water Mint, etc.-
may become uprooted either by the fishes or
when the pond is filled. Small stones placed
over the soil will prevent this. In the herbaceous border, if a plant dies it is merely
unsightly-a dead plant in the pond will foul
the water. Soon after planting, then, the
plants should be inspected. In early Spring,
too, they require overhauling, some may have
spread too much, others may be choked.
Rigid control is necessary in successful pond-
keeping. Dead or decaying leaves should be
cut off, and particularly in the aquarium
the plants should be slightly pulled occasionally. The reason for this is that sometimes
the root will die, yet the leaves will continue
to derive sustenance from the water, the whole
having the appearance of a healthy plant ;
needless to say such roots will be black and
foul smelling.
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