Garden Ponds are a great way to enjoy your California backyard

Plants For The Water Garden 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.