W A T 



W A T 



of proper thickness both at sides and below , it 

 may be retained in some tolerable degree. 



In most eases art, however, will be necessary 

 in this business. See Basons, &c. 



Where it i6 easily attainable in any of the 

 above modes, it should not be omitted, in a 

 smaller or larger scale, especially in grounds of 

 ■ny considerable extent; but where intended 

 principally as reservoirs for watering gardens, 

 thev may be of much more moderate dimensions 

 than when designed for ornament ; and may be 

 formed either in a circular manner, an oblong 

 canal, pond, or cut, Sec, where the supply of 

 water can be most conveniently procured. 



Ornamental plats or pieces of water in plea- 

 sure-grounds are very desirable, as being great 

 additions to the beauty, variety, and embellish- 

 ment of them, when properly disposed, and con- 

 trasted with some nearly-adjoining detached 

 clumps of plantation, and bounded with a proper 

 expanse of grass ground, spreading from the 

 verge considerably outwards. 



fn general, when any spaces of water, on a 

 larger or smaller scale, are intended, thev should 

 be disposed as conspicuously as possible in some 

 principal division; either sometimes at or near 

 the termination of a spacious open lawn, or oc- 

 casionally in some other similar open space ; and 

 sometimes disposed more or less internally in 

 6ome central or other grand opening; in all of 

 which, an expanse of water has a fine effect. 



The particular forms may be adapted to the 

 nature of the situation, and the extent to that 

 to the supply of water that can be had. 



Cascades or waterfalls are also occasionally 

 introduced in extensive pleasure-grounds where 

 there is the advantage of a rivulet, oy which they 

 iiiiv be formed cither in one large fall, or in two 

 or three smaller ones in succession, having large 

 rough stones placed below to break the water, 

 and increase the sound of the torrent in its fall 

 and passage over them, in some degree similar 

 to that peculiar 10 natural cascades. And foun- 

 tains, spouting water from images, Sec. are 

 sometimes introduced in the centre of small or 

 moderate basons, or other reservoirs of water 

 in gardens, or grounds v. here a supplying head 

 of "water is conveniently situated sufficiently 

 high to raise and throw the water from the jet 

 orspout in a continued full stream to a consi- 

 derable height, which falling in the bason, keeps 

 the water of it in motion, prevents stagnation, 

 and is thereby rendered more proper for keeping 

 and breeding 6sh of the gold and silver kinds, 

 £cc. and the spouting and falling of the water baa 

 ■ eshing effect in the he it of summer. 



In the business of forming the ground for 

 -. the earth must be excavated to a proper 



Vol. II. 



depth, gradually sloping from di verge lo (he 

 middle, from three lo four »r I deep; 



sometimes, however, in low situations, tl • 



is naturally hollowed in some de 

 to require a general excavation, or only in parti- 

 cular parts, and some general regulations to the 

 whole, which in extensive designs is a consi- 

 derable advantage. Where the side< and b i 

 are of a sandy, gravelly, or stony nature, or 

 abound in loose soil, and there is not a coi 

 supplying stream, thev must be well secured by 

 the application of a thick coat of wcll-w fought 

 clay. And where this claying is necessary, in 

 the preparatory excavation, a proper allowance 

 should be made for the additional coat of clav, 

 to the extent of twelve or fifteen inches in thick- 

 ness, and of several inches of gravel over it, to 

 preserve the clav from being wasted bv the mo- 

 tion of the water, and keep it clear, which 

 would otherwise be muddy. But previous to the 

 claying, the loose and uneven parts in the bot- 

 tom and sides of the cavity should be well 

 rammed, to make the whole firm, even, and 

 smooth ; then beginning in the middle space 

 with the clav, and proceeding gradually outward, 

 being careful that no stones, sticks, or other 

 matter, get mixed with it, to occasion fissures 

 or cracks, bv which the water may escape, 

 laying it evenly, a small thickness at a time, 

 and spreading it regularly, treading it well with 

 the naked feet ; and if dry weather casting water 

 on it occasionally, ramming it well from time to 

 time with wooden rammers; then gradually ap- 

 plying more clav, in the same manner, to the 

 proper thickness, being careful that every part 

 is so well puddled and rammed, as not to lea\e 

 the smallest vacancy. Thus continuing the 

 claying in a regular manner each way from bot- 

 tom to the top of the circumference, smoothing 

 the surface evenly, and in dry weather covering 

 it, as the work proceeds, with mats or straw 

 litter, or with the stratum of pebbly gravel, 

 When the whole is finished, the water should 

 be let in. 



When this has been done, the top or verge 

 must be regulated and levelled, forming it evenly 

 from the edge of the water in a gradual regu- 

 lar expansion to some extent outward, without 

 any stiff slope close to the water, distinct from 

 • surrounding superficies; laying the ground 

 with grass turf, especially along the margin, 

 continuing it a- far down as the general level ot 

 the water." Where the extent is considerable, it 

 may be sown with ds. 



W \ TER CRESS. See Sistmbhiom. 



WATER LILY. See Ntmphju. 



WATER MELON. See Cocobbr* Ci- 



TRULLl --. 



3Y 



