56 THE BOOK OF GARDEN DESIGN 



moss grown in a short time, and with a growth of ferns 

 in the crevices would look exceedingly well. Frequently 

 such streams are fringed by a plantation, through which 

 a pathway could be made ; the walk should be brought 

 close to the stream at the most interesting points, and 

 may then meander away among the trees. The Torrent 

 Walk at Dolgelly is a stream of this kind, and though 

 in a sense a show place, parts of it are delightfully wild 

 and free. 



The worst possible treatment of the stream is to make 

 it an excuse for the erection of trumpery rustic bridges, 

 unnecessary stepping stones and those varied etceteras 

 which are only possible near water of some description. 

 The designer should have in view the opportunity 

 which is presented him of making the stream and its 

 banks the home of a good collection of aquatics ; if the 

 requirements of plant life are closely studied and carried 

 into effect, there will be little chance of the stream 

 proving anything but satisfactory. 



Irregular shaped pieces of water are seldom satis- 

 factory, unless they are closely modelled on those found 

 in nature. Varied outline is usually considered satis- 

 factory in that it enables a spirit of indefiniteness to be 

 preserved, and the true extent of the pond or lake to 

 be concealed from view. Whilst this is occasionally 

 desirable, it is by no means invariably so, and it often 

 happens that all idea of breadth and dignity is lost in 

 the effort to secure irregularity. Numerous curves 

 along the shore line, and the formation of unnecessary 

 bays and promontories, generally stamp the work as 

 artificial to the last degree. To realise the principle 

 which partly governs the shape of such pieces of water, 

 it is helpful to note the action of a quick rushing stream 

 or river on the banks which confine it. A lake is often 

 but a swollen section of a stream. The only thing to 

 cause a deviation in the course of a river is the en- 



