When raising aquatic plants in outdoor ponds, it is important to consider the amount of light available, the depth of the pond, the kind of soil, and various other factors. Since most aquatic plants obtain nourishment from the soil, it is necessary to have a soil rich in organic matter. In most natural ponds the accumulation of humus at the bottom is excellent for plant growth. In some ponds, however, the bottom consists largely of sand or gravel that must be covered with a thick layer of rich soil. If the pond is very large, it is often easier to root the plants in earth-filled boxes or pots than to place a thick layer of soil over the entire bottom of the pond. Most aquatic plants require large amounts of light and should not be grown in shaded areas. In some regions, it is also important to protect the plants from strong winds by growing shrubbery or other windbreaks near the edge of the pond. The depth of the water should be determined by the size of the plants. In many cases,...
When Edward Regan Murphy was in high school, he predicted that he would become famous by the time he was 19, and a millionaire by 22. And Eddie was right. He shot to stardom in the popular TV comedy show Saturday Night Live when he was 19. He began making movies in 1982 and quickly became a star and a millionaire. Audiences loved the hip, sassy characters he played in hits such as 48 Hrs. , Trading Places , and Beverly Hills Cop . He remained one of Hollywood 's top box-office attractions throughout the 1980s. Murphy's star dimmed in the early 1990s. He appeared in a series of films that disappointed his fans and failed financially, and it seemed that his days as a top star were over for good. But then, in the summer of 1996, Murphy came back when The Nutty Professor became a huge hit. Murphy played two leading roles: an overweight, painfully shy professor who invents a formula that transforms him into a thin and smooth-talking ladies' man. But those w...
Jessica Simpson has grown as famous for her supposedly ditzy image as for her beauty and her singing voice. Yet appearances can be deceiving. The girl who once asked her husband if Chicken of the Sea was tuna or chicken is also an ambitious performer who has dedicated much of her life to becoming a star. Jessica Ann Simpson was born in Dallas , Texas. She began singing at a young age; she first sang in the choir of the local Baptist church. At age 12, she tried out for The Mickey Mouse Club . This popular television show was a well-known training ground for future talent like Simpson's eventual rivals Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera. But Simpson faced an early disappointment when she was turned down for the club. Instead, with the help of her manager-father Joe (a minister) and stylist-mother Tina, Simpson signed with a small Christian-music label. Meanwhile, she attended J.J. Pearce High School, from which she graduated in 1998. Simpson finally got ...