4quarium.
525. The shape of the pond is generally either circular or oval. Its dimensions must be regulated by the size of the neighbouring parterre or lawn, and by the taste of the owner for the cultivation of aquatic plants. If it be wished to have the white and yellow water-lily (Nympkza alba and lutca) in perfection, it must be at least three feet deep. If the ground be open, especially if the subsoil be sandy or gravelly, the bottom should be well laid with pud dled clay, and the sides should also be lined with the same material, in order to prevent the escape of the water. On the margin a kind of small terrace or shelf is formed, im mersed only a few inches under water, and commonly laid with channel ; on this are placed pots containing various marsh plants, such as the Marsh Calla, (Calla paustris), a native of Lapland and other northern parts of Europe. In some gardens, (as formerly noticed, § 191.) the margin is occupied with the American cranberry.
Several of our native aquatic plants are very ornamental; particularly the yellow and the white fringed Bog-bean, Menyanthes nymphoides, and trifoliata ; the Flowering rush (Butomus umbellatus,) and the Water-violet, or Fea ther-foil, (Hottonia palustris,) which grows in deep ditches near London. The Cats-tail or Reed-mace 1ia and angustifolia) has a singular appearance, especially when in flower, but it is apt to overrun a small pond.
Rosary.
526. The rose has always been deservedly a favourite ; and at no period was it ever more high in repute than at present. Every hardy species is now carefully cultivated, and many new varieties raised from seed have of late years been introduced. The catalogue of Lee and Kennedy, of Hammersmith, enumerates no fewer than 315 varieties ; but the species are not distinguished. Many of the finest varieties have been beautifully figured by Miss Lawrence, in her splendid collection of Drawings of Roses. Most of the species throw out suckers. These should be annually removed in October, and in this way abundance of plants may soon be procured. Still better plants however may be
prepared by laying down branches ; and this is the chief way of propagating adopted by the dealers in roses. Few of the kinds need any other pruning than shortening some of the strongest shoots, to cause them to push new buds and bear more flowers.
The following are the species generally preferred, hut a few only of the varieties can be enumerated.
Hundred-leaved rose. (Rosa centffolia.) Of this there are many varieties, as t he Dutch, blush, vet, and But windy, the latter an elegant little plant, sometimes not more than a foot in height.
Red rose, or Crimson rose, (R. Gallica.) This is the kind, the unexpanded petals of which are used for making conserve of roses. A sort with variegated flowers is call ed Rosa Munch.
Damask rose, (R. Damascena.) Of this there are some pretty variations, as the blush damask, the York and Lan caster, and the red and the white monthly roses, these last continuing to flower in succession during most of the summer.
Provence rose, or Cabbage rose, (R provincials.) is one of the most beautiful of the tribe, and perhaps the most fragrant of all the roses. Of it there are likewise some favourite varieties, as the scarlet, the blush, and the white Provence; the rose de Meaux, and the pompone or swan f ish rose de Meaux. It may be remarked, that if the new wood be in a great measure cut down every year, after the flowering is over, the plants throw out more vigorous shoots, and yield a greater profusion of flowers.
•The Moss rose (R. muscosa) is well known in gardens in a double state ; but it is curious, that the single moss rose is quite unknown to us. The double is often propa gated by budding on other stocks; but better and more durable plants are procured by laying down the branches. A white moss rose has lately appeared in the London nurse ries ; but it is still scarce and high priced.
The common White rose, (R. alba,) both single and dou ble, deserves a place ; as well as the varieties called large, small, and cluster maiden blush.