FOUNTAINS, FISHPONDS, AND ORNAMENTAL WATERS. 101 



■within the newly-inclosed circuit of tall trees there would be a space where 

 certain plants, which suffer from too much sun, might be successfully culti- 

 vated ; and even on the north side of these trees, certain shade- loving flowers 

 would find an appropriate situation. A certain degree of intricacy would 

 also be attained, which is always agreeable. Something choice would be 

 imagined beyond the well-hedged circle ; and, in reality, beyond it, on either 

 side, would be certain partially-covered portions of the flower-garden. As 

 ■a good centre to a geometric plan, an imitation of the Italian theatre of 

 cypi'esses, copied from the gardens of a celebrated Italian villa, could not be 

 otherwise than effective and agreeable ; it would also be a novelty in modern 

 gardens, where dislike to cropping has run into the other extreme, and bowers, 

 avenues, peacocks, and other formal figures clipped in yew, have been swept 

 away with relentless rigour." 



■231. Fishponds. — The monks of old well understood the management of fish- 

 ponds, and near the ruins of many an old abbey may be found traces of them, 

 now neglected. It is found that in certain waters and soils the fish breed, but 

 without increasing in size, while in others the reverse is the case. The cause of 

 this remains a mystery. Fishj^onds may become a costly luxury ; but where 

 water exists already, it might as well be utilized, and such a basin as we have 

 described might be readily adapted to the purpose. Fish cannot exist in foul 

 or impure water ; therefore, no dead leaves or rotten branches should cumber 

 the pond. Shrubs and flowers growing at the sides and on the surface should 

 be kept trim and neat, and decayed flowers and leaves raked carefully off". 

 Shelter of some kind should, however, be furnished, to keep off the glare of 

 the noonday sun, if the fish are to increase and multiply, and food must 

 be supplied also. The Chinese excel all other people in the care they take of 

 their fishponds, and the favourite food is said to be an QgQ broken and put ia 

 the water. Overshadowing trees on such a basin as we have described 

 would be inadmissible : the foliage of water-plants or artificial rock- work must 

 here serve the purpose. But in a more natural pond or river, trees rooted 

 in the bank, and overhanging the water, give a grateful shade and shelter to 

 the fish. 



•232. Eock-work is a natural adjunct to water, and requires its aid to 

 render it perfectly successful where ferns are to form one of its acces- 

 sories. Rock-work, where it is artificial, is usually raised as a screen between 

 two styles of gardening, or as a surprise to the visitors. Where it is wholly 

 artificial, large mounds oi earth, sometimes mingled with roots of trees, are 

 formed, over which angular masses of rock are placed, — in apparent confusion, 

 but with real symmetry ; some of them advancing beyond the line, others 

 receding, so as to conceal their more artificial foundation. A running stream, 

 'even where it only trickles over the rocks, is necessary to complete the decep- 

 tion, and produce healthy-looking ferns ; but there are other rock-plant* 

 where a warm dry soil is requisite. Here, walks curving round the base of th« 

 rocks, and winding up the mimic cliffs, with rustic balustrade and trellis- work, 

 on which climbing roses, clematis of various sorts, glycines, and other climbing 



