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     Water Lilies 
     
    
   
   
    
     The February newsletter contained an article, written by the 
     
     late Dr. J.A. Clark, dealing with the establishment of water 
     
     lilies at the Experimental Farm. This was of particular interest 
     
     to me because I was employed at the Experimental Farm, now called 
     
     the Research Station, from 1929 to 1970. 
     
    
   
   
    
     The lily pond was always a favorite attraction for summer 
     
     visitors. It is doubtful whether all six species have survived. 
     
     On several occasions the roots became so thick and matted that 
     
     it was necessary to remove large quantities so that more and 
     
     better blooms would be produced. No attempt could be made to 
     
     thin by varieties and it seems likely that the present population 
     
     is a result of "survival of the fittest." 
     
    
   
   
    
     For many years requests for roots were responded to and 
     
     there should be many lily ponds about the province. One in 
     
     particular is, or was, located at East Baltic. Several years 
     
     ago this pond rivalled the one at the Farm for beauty and 
     
     numbers. I have not seen it for some time and it is possible 
     
     that the area has been drained to increase cultivated acreage. 
     
    
   
   
    
     It would be interesting to know if other plantings in the 
     
     province proved successful. If any readers know of such ponds 
     
     why not drop a line to the Natural History Society? 
     
    
   
   
    
     R.B. MacLaren 
     
     5 Rosemount Drive 
     
     Charlottetown, P.E.I. 
     
    
   
   
    
       
     
    
   
   
    
     Flora Quiz 
     
    
   
   
    
     Each statement is either true or false. For answers refer to 
     
     page 3. 
     
    
   
   
    
     l. Spotted touch-me-not (Impatiens capensis) is named for its 
     
     juices which many people find irritating to the skin. 
     
    
   
   
    
       
     
    
   
   
    
     he 0 teris) are found in the same areas as beech trees 
     
    
   
   
    
     gran l 0 1a). 
     
    
   
   
    
     3. The mayflower (Epigaea re ens) was reportedly mmmfl such by 
     
     the Pilgrims who saw the p ant after they landed at Plymouth 
     
     Rock on the ship, Mayflower. 
     
    
   
   
    
     2. Beech-drops (Epifagus virginiana) and beechferns (Dr ooteris 
     
     (Fagus 
     
    
   
   
    
     a. Ostrich fern (Pteretis pensylvanica) fiddleheads are suspected 
     
     of containing a cancer‘causing chemical, much to the dismay of 
     
     connoisseurs. 
     
    
   
   
    
       
     
    
   
   
    
     5. Sweet flag (Acorns calamus)is the floral emblem of Quebec. 
     
    
   
   
    
     6. Eel-grass (Zostera marina, var. stenophylla) is the dominant 
     
     grass species formed on Prince Edward Island sand dunes. 
     
    
   
   
    
     7. Forget-me-not (Myosotis scorpioides) is a common plant on the 
     
     Island that was introduced from Europe and is now prominent in 
     
     wet areas which it graces with its small blue flowers. 
     
    
   
   
    
       
     
    
   
   
    
     8. Ragwort (Senecio jacobaea) is reported to be a major irritant 
     
     to those who suffer from hay fever. 
     
    
   
   
    
     9. If sheep-sorrel (Rumex acetosella) is growing on farmland, it is 
     
     an indicator that the land 18 acidic and in need of a treatment 
     
     with lime. 
     
    
   
   
    
     lO. Lesser duckweed (Lemna minor), the smallest flowering plant in 
     
     . . —-—!- —-———- 
     
     tne world, is common in Island ponds. 
     
    
   
   
    
     Diane Griffin 
     
     Edmonton, Alberta