Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-04-12

wafer Lilies From Every quarter OF the
Globe-The Egyptian Lotus and Other
Beauties of fAntIquity-How to Make and
Keep Fernery.
WRITTEN FOR THE pIsPArCH.1
In public parks and large private grounds
it has been found that bold masses of foliage,
combined with Towering plants. have
much more pleasing effect than when flow
ers alone are used, and some very effective
groupings are made from the liberal use of
aquatic plants. The palms, carnas and
other large leaved plants present a back
ground of green and beauty that will offset
any glaring defect in the scenery and land
scape, and the popularity of these strong
growing plants make them essentials to
every garden.
But aquatics in the flower garden are be-
coming very important, and in city parks
especially are they employed in the spring
and summer seasons for giving variety and
effect TO the scene. Recent study and iuves-
LEGATIONS have wrought wonders in the line
of aquatic plants, and visit to any of the
botanical gardens or city parks must give
one lasting impression of what science and
cultivation have done in developing and
improving these water plants.
Giants of Every Color.
Instead of the old-fashioned water lily Of
white leaves and yellow center, about the
size OF a full blown rose, we now see gigantic
water lilies, with red, blue, purple and pink
leaves and differently colored centers. From
every part Of the globe these wild aquatic
plants have been collected, and by systems,
of selection and cultivation exquisite speci-
mems have been developed. The great Vic
toria regia-the largest and grandest of the
water lilies-is plant of great beauty, an d
may be seen in nearly all OF the large parks.
Next to it is the beautiful Egyptian lotus,
plant that has figured constantly as one of
the sacred plants in remote antiquity. In
early Egyptian days the lotus seeds were
eaten by the natives, and the roots Of the
lotus are used as food. Closely allied to it
as an interesting plant of antiquity is the
Egyptian papyrus, which is now extensively
used grouped in masses for backgrounds to
smaller plants. The great American yellow
lotus has been so improved by cultivation
that it holds its own successfully in groups
OF the more ancient aquatics. The pink Cape
Cod lily is an aquatic that gives color and
beauty to. the collection, and when grown
alongside of the large white European water
lily the contrast in colors is brought out
effectively. These are both chaste and ex-
quisite flowers, and they blossom profusely
when properly trained.
Flowers the Whole Season.
A new yellow variety of water lily known
as N. Marliacea, always finds a place in
these large water lily tanks. 1t flowers !ree-
ly during the whole season, and produces
flowers with broad petals of light yellow
color. and bright orange stamens. The
Nymph@as are stately plants, and they form
beautiful backgrounds for the large tanks
or lakes in the parks To make the tanks
more picturesque it is we'll to plant such
specimens of plants, cannas, caladiums,
bamboos, eulalias, and other hardy orna-
mental grasses
An aquatic tank can easily be made, and
a small pond or lake can be beautitied by it
in way that will repay double-fold all
efforts and labor. A small tank can be
made out OF doors op the front lawn, and
the lilies placed in them, or large tubs can
be used which may be transferred from the
house to the lawn, and kept in the window
garden during the winter. The planting
out doors should begin about the first of
May, and the tanks should be filed with
water gradually as the plants grow. About
q foot OF rich soil should be placed in the
tanks before the water is turned ON, sud this
must be renewed every season. If brick
tank is made in the front yard enough water
can be turned on to save the roots from
freezing, and the plants need not be removed
from year to year. Beautiful rock work can
then be made q permanent fixture of the
tank.
Rare and Beautiful Ferns.
A place In the tubs or tanks should also be
reserved for the ferns, or II . rockery Is con-
nected with the tank the proper place for
these plants 10 among the rocks and stones.
Ferns are now receiving the attention that
have been denied them for years, and the
delicate beauty of their forms make them
picturesque plants for the bouquets and