IX 



ISLANDS 



THE design and construction of islands in rivers 

 and streams and lakes or ponds requires much 

 study of the spot where they are to be made, 

 and also the exercise of the memory to accumulate 

 examples for consideration, which, though not exactly 

 the same, will be helpful. 



I recall for instance a wonderful afternoon, sailing 

 through the upper reaches of Lake George, New York 

 State. The day was showery and as the mists gathered 

 and dispersed and the sun now came out and now dis- 

 appeared, the illusions of light and shade were magical. 

 Islands of all sizes from a few rocks to cedar-clothed 

 hills loomed up on every side and then disappeared. 

 Ever changing, it was like some scene in fairyland, 

 unearthly, unreal — the mind seemed transported to a 

 space between lake and sky where the islands had a 

 realm of their own. There were thousands of them 

 and the study of how many of them were growing 

 from a few rocks into larger and larger masses of 

 trees, rocks, soil, and grass was most instructive, most 

 illuminating. 



163 



