110 Management of Ponds and Wells. 



place it occupies less space ; secondly, it loses less in proportion 

 by evaporation, from its smaller surface ; while thirdly, when the 

 water gets low, that which remains is effectually shaded by the 

 high banks. 



This mention of shade brings me to another important item 

 in the design of a pond. It is astonishing what an effect a little 

 shade has in checking evaporation. A pond that is well shaded 

 will hold water for weeks after one of equal dimensions, but 

 lacking shade, has become dry. Yet how recklessly this very 

 summer have I seen men cutting up every bush and tree round 

 the banks of their ponds. True, a few leaves may drop into the 

 water ; but if the pond-owner will only take the trouble to observe 

 the marvellous tenacity of a thoroughly saturated leaf, he will, 

 I am sure, be soon convinced that many an autumn must pass 

 away ere the accumulation of leaves which may drop* into his 

 pcmd can do him any harm. Always, therefore, if possible, have 

 the mouth of your pond on the north side, and shade on the south. 

 The best shade is that given by fir-trees, for they give it all the 

 year round. Moreover a less quantity of leaf falls from them 

 than from other trees, and that which does fall, being specifically 

 heavy, falls straight, and is not likely to be blown by the wind 

 when fallen. Neither are the branches of fir-trees as liable as 

 others to die and fall off, unless they are allowed to grow too 

 thick together. It is a maxim among those who cultivate the fir 

 for its beauty, that no tree of this sort should ever touch its 

 neighbour. At the same time, in exposed situations, they must 

 not be planted in too narrow a belt, or the wind will blow through 

 and stunt them all. It may be as well, too, to remark that the 

 Scotch fir, from its more hardy habit, is infinitely better 

 adapted for exposure than its more delicate congener, the 

 spruce. The jew would, perhaps, be even better for shade than 

 the fir, but for its poisonous qualities. After the fir, I doubt 

 whether there is, on the Avhole, any better plant for shade than 

 the hawthorn bush. Its leaves sprout early, and fall late ; and 

 it possesses, besides, the great advantage that it forms its own 

 fence ; for it is of great importance that a pond should be well 

 fenced, and no access allowed to it except at its appointed 

 mouth, otherwise there will be danger of children and cattle 

 Ijeing drowned, to say nothing of banks broken and trodden into 

 the water. 



I have so far endeavoured to show what I consider to be the 

 proper construction of a pond, where only a single mouth is 



* The case would of course be very different where a pond is surrounded on aU 

 sides by many trees, or is fed by a ditch or brook which Avill bring leaves from 

 elsewhere ; but then the mischief is caused by the leaves which are hloicn or 

 hruiiijlif, not by those which drop into the pond. 



