230 ORKAMENTAL GARDEKING. 



kind of work is to be found in fine natural scenes, 

 and then, of course, experience, coupled with good taste 

 on the part of the designer. 



Unless adjacent grounds are elevated and hilly, the 

 banks of lakes and streams should not generally be 

 steep and regular. Usually in nature, the land meets the 

 water gradually, unless in the case of streams, the sides 

 of which are cut down by the w^earing of the water, or 

 where they run through gulleys or along hill sides. If 

 walks are to be carried along the banks, they should not, 

 as a rule, run close to the edge for long distances, but a 

 strip of grass, however narrow in places, and then at 

 some points clumps of trees and plants should be between 

 them. Occasionally the walks may run down to the 

 water and be widened into a beach for some distance and 

 return again. Along winding rills, through gulleys, 

 where the walks are carried along steep slopes, railings 

 are sometimes needed and perhaps bridges now and then 

 for crossing the stream. Large rocks set in the Avater to 

 project boldly above the surface are appropriate in water 

 scenery. Trees and shrubs in clumps, extending quite 

 down to the water's edge in places, help greatly to pro- 

 duce an appearance of natural grace and freedom. 



While no class of trees are more appropriate for en- 

 hancing water effects than Weeping and other Willows, 

 still it is frequently demonstrated in the best landscape 

 gardening, that no trees are more useful for planting with 

 the Willows than the Poplars and other tapering kinds- 

 trees the least likely to be thought of by many planters 

 for such situations. In marked contrast, as such erect 

 trees are with the weepers, they give strength to them, 

 and create an improved effect throughout. 



Water is often used in ornamental gardens in fountains 

 and basins. By means of these, the refreshing beauty 

 and music of moving water may be secured with quanti- 

 ties so limited, that the use of the element in any other 



