io8 LANDSCAPE-GARDENING 



goes to natural lakes to study the treatment of 

 such water, just as one would consult a man of long 

 experience in any given line for information gained 

 by such experience. 



Artificial lakes. - - In the development of home 

 grounds, parks and other open spaces, it may be 

 taken for granted that still bodies of water will 

 be introduced when conditions are favorable. The 

 mirror-like surfaces of lakes and ponds give new 

 beauty to their surroundings (Fig. 22). They show 

 the light of the sun and moon and on still nights 

 even that of the stars. They reflect the hills and 

 clouds, the overhanging trees and vine-covered 

 banks. They beautify the landscape and may serve 

 as places for swimming, fishing, boating, and skating. 



When are conditions favorable ? The first req- 

 uisite is a supply of water, and the second a suit- 

 able location. The water may come from springs, 

 streams, or wells. In the latter case, objection 

 may be made to the cost of pumping, but when 

 there is an abundant supply of ground water, the 

 amount spent in securing it to supply a lake will usu- 

 ally give more pleasure than that expended in any 

 other way. Spring water is most satisfactory since 

 it costs nothing and is free from sediment. The 



