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Lombardy, of which two or three may be planted so as to rise out of the 

 midst of masses of other trees. 



In planting, room should be allowed for walking on the water's edge ; 

 sometimes close to it, and at other times with a bush, or group of shrubs, 

 interposing. 



Small fancy boats are needful for recreation and pleasure, besides adding 

 to the interest of the scenery. In the latter sense, sails would be an addition. 

 Swans, by all means, must be introduced, as well as other water fowls. 



A striking effect might be attained by introducing into the lake a floating 

 island. While I was engaged in laying out a gentleman's grounds in the Lake 

 district, a natural floating island was pointed out to me at the head of 

 Esthwaite Lake, near Hawkshead, which was composed of low growths, matted 

 firmly together, and studded with a few living, but stunted, low growing trees, 

 which appeared to act as sails in moving the island from side to side, as the 

 wind might direct. This phenomenon has suggested the idea of its being 

 imitated, in the formation of lakes or ponds in pleasure grounds, to give 

 additional variety to the scene. Nor would this be the only advantage, but the 

 spectacle of trees, bushes, and minor vegetation thus floating, would have a 

 singular and rare effect. The size of such an island may vary according to 

 circumstances : we will suppose twenty-four feet by twelve. In the first 

 instance, boards must be nailed together on ribs, or bearers of wood, four or six 

 inches square, forming a boarded floor, or flat. This, again, should be boarded 

 round, forming a ledge, or belt, ten or twelve inches deep, as a receptacle 

 for the soil and plants, but, altogether, exhibiting as varied an outline as 

 possible. The whole will require to be filled with soil, rising naturally from 

 the sides to the middle, in different elevations of from two to four feet, care- 

 lessly and negligently sodded with ling, rushes, aquatic ranunculus, mosses, 

 &c, and showing, at intervals, a few stumps and rude stones. About the 

 centre of the island, two or three alders might be planted, and, occasionally, 

 a patch of small growing willows, sea buckthorn, sweet gale, with rambling 

 roses and honeysuckles to climb up the trees. 



