4&:^« 



V M.VNAOEMENT OF WATER. 



equally absurd. In forming a lake, the first object should be to clear the bed of all 

 vegetation, and if possible cover it with sand. If in any part of the bank there is 

 a marshy, or shallow spot, it may be planted with the white-flowered arrow-head, 

 (Sa(ji(taria;) the blue watcr-plautain (^Alisma ;) the yellow golden-club, (^Orontium ;) 

 the dark purple side-saddle flower, (^Sarracenia ;) and the golden water lily, {Nujihar.) 

 In the deeper water, the floating gems of the pond lily, (^IVi/mphcca ;) or the noble 

 flowers and leaves of the JVclumbiiwi, will add much to the beauty of the scene. 

 Even the Calla Ethiopica is said to flourish, if planted in water just deep enough not 

 to freeze the bottom in winter. It would take too much space to give directions for 

 the whole management and planting of the banks ; that can alone be determined by 

 the form and nature of the ground. But one rule may be laid down : Every art 

 should be used to conceal the actual extent of the water, thus leaving its size to the 

 imagination ; no one view should take in the whole, but several stations should over- 

 look the same part of the water wdth different fore and back-grounds, and its source 

 should be hidden by thick wood. The dam, whether of stone or wood, should be 

 constructed in the firmest manner, with a deep waste-way to let ofi" all superfluous 

 water, and large enough to drain oft' all the water if necessary, for destroying weeds, 

 or for repairs. The lower side of the dam should be made as much as possible to 

 resemble a natural mass of rock. In building with stone, this is easily accomplished 

 by using large masses, and making the lower and larger ones project irregularly ; a 

 smaller size above them ; and so on, to the top. The dam should not, in most cases, 

 be at a right angle with the stream ; but in such a position with regard to both banks, 

 as to appear a natural obstacle. The top of the dam should be managed in the same 

 manner : the stream perhaps not falling over the whole, but carried over on one side ; 

 or, if the stream is abundant, divided by a large stone in such a manner as will pro- 

 duce the best efiect from below. It will seldom answer to attempt a single pitch, 

 unless the dam is very high, and the stream a large one. It is better to conduct it 

 rushing over the stones with all the foam and fury possible. In all such constructions, 

 remember " Ars est celare artem,^'' Let not a particle of mortar appear ; let the exit 

 of the waste-w-ay be concealed by overlapping stones ; and wherever it can be done, 

 plant shrubs and creepers in the crevices of the rock, first filling them up with good 

 soil. After all written directions, the eye of taste alone can perfect such a work as 

 this. If the dam is of wood, which is to be avoided if possible, the only way is to 

 heap masses of stone against its front to conceal the logs, and continue them above 

 the top line of the dam, letting the water flow over, or through them, as you best can. 

 One more thing let me advise : Never attempt to dam a beautiful ravine, with abrupt 

 banks feathered with wood, and the brook rushing and brawling over crag and stone. 

 A narrow, simple walk, conducted now by the side of the brook, now on some over- 

 hanging bank, and anon hidden in the copse-wood, is almost the only improvement 

 such a scene will admit of. One of the most eftective situations for a dam is at the 

 head of such a ravine, where it is overhung and darkened with large spruces or hem- 

 locks ; with perhaps a rustic bridge of two or three logs, with a simple hand-rail, (^ 

 thrown over just below the fall ^^ 



