The National tribune., 1882-06-17

WATER PLANTS FOR ORNAMENTAL
LAKES - The formation of ponds and lakes
for the culture of carp and other fishes IS
now becoming quite popular feature, and
will increase as the value of fish culture be-
comes fully understood, and directly in it will
attract attention to the beauty of water
plants, and introduce novelty in ornamen-
tation. Hitherto this class of plants has
been much neglected; even in artificial
lakes, where the only object of their intro
duction is to increase variety to scenery, it
is uncommon to find them utilized for plant
culture, and although water-surface is sell
dom uninteresting, there is no reason why
it should not be invested with all the at
fractions and sanitary effects which can be
impaired by the introduction of Towering
water plants.
No flower in the garden can excel, either
in beauty of form or in delicacy of fragrance,
the white water or pond-lily, Nymph8G odor-
alta; and for mere floral effect, it is not too
much to state that no mass of flowers can
exceed in beauty and interest a thicket of
the large tulip-like yellow flowers of the
lotus, OF sacred bean, NcIumbium Iuteum
This plant has points of special interest at
all stages of its growth: the large platter
like leaves spreading on the surface, so as to
produce a solid lawn-like effect-many of
the individual leaves frequently to be
found which will measure eighteen inches
in diameter; then the tall, upright flower
stems projecting boldly above this mass of
leaves, and, finally, the curious shaped seed
vessels, in themselves an interesting study.
These lilies are hardy over a large portion
of the country, and when once established
need but little care. In addition to these
conspicuous Towering plants, various other
interesting species may be procured. The
Ling-plant of China, 1rapa bicornis with a
fruit like the head Of an OK, horns and all.
The water caltrops, 1rapa natans so called
from the spiked appearance of the seed, are
both rapid growing water plants, forming
roseate-formed tufts of small triangular
shaped leaves; indeed their rapidity of
growth is rather troublesome, as they are apt
TO choke out all others, unless occasionally
weeded or thinned out.
In shallow spots near the margin may be
planted such species as the Gala palustris,
which resembles, both in foliage and flow
ers, the calla-lily Of greenhouses, although
the flower is rather insignificant in compari-
son with the African species; the CdIthG pa
Iustris, or marsh marygold; the AcOruS, POly-
gOnam, Cgpcrus, and Juncus, all include
plants available for boggy and wet places.
The effective arrangement of water and
bog plants in and on the margin of ponds
should be as much subject of artistic study
as is the arrangement of trees and shrubs in
park scenery. This branch of landscape
decoration is much neglected, but in the
growing extension Of fish ponds it is destin-
ed to become popular, and it will awaken an
interest in an extensive class Of plants which
are but little known and which possess a
characteristic individuality Of form and
beauty which, when contrasted with their
natural surroundings, cannot fail TO recall
pleasant associations to the mind, compared
to which the landscape effect produced by a
group of Towering shrubs will appear ex-
ceedingly tame and uninteresting.