228 ORi^AMENTAL GARDEXIXG. 



to afford most delightful glimpes of it. No large expanse 

 of water is as pleasing if viewed all at once, as when seen by 

 parts through openings between woody clumps. Where 

 they can be used, tastefully built boat houses, landings, 

 and bridges are pleasing features. 



Small, natural lakes may sometimes be varied in out- 

 line to advantage. Figure T6 shows how a lakelet, rep- 

 resented by the dotted lines, which could be viewed 

 at a glance in every part, was so varied by grading and 

 planting as to be more ornamental, and to appear larger, 



because so arranged that all parts 

 are never seen from any one 

 point, thus conveying the idea 

 of indefinite extent. In such 

 work, regard should be paid to 

 having the general outline simple 

 E^ 1^ rather than otherwise. The prin- 



Fig. 76.-LAKELET IMPROVED, ^-^^j^ ^f partial conccalmcnt is 



an important one in managing all small bodies of water 

 if we would make the most of them. 



Islands add a pleasing variety to water scenery if 

 happily placed. Usually they are better for being not 

 far from the shore, to maintain an appearance of some 

 connection with the main-land. They should be abun- 

 dantly clothed with trees and shrubs. For every pur- 

 pose of this kind, the Laurel-leaved and other free-grow- 

 ing Willows possess great value. Planted at the water's 

 edge, their shrubby forms soon enlarge, and hanging in 

 the water on one side, resting on the land on the other, 

 they break the regular outline of the water delightfully. 



Where a good living rill is found in gardens, or can be 

 introduced, there need be little lack of the attractiveness 

 water is susceptible of imparting. A lake may be formed 

 by excavation or by damming, or a series of these may be 

 made, or the course of the stream maybe intercepted with 

 rocks and earth, to produce small musical cascades or 



