WILD WATER MARGINS 55 



log bridge in order to enable a view of dwarf plants on 

 the near bank, which from their own side are hidden. 

 In fact, water gardens which can only be seen from one 

 side are seldom satisfactory, and interest can be multiplied 

 indefinitely when the pathway crosses and recrosses the 

 stream, now passing close by the water's edge, now 

 running inland for awhile. The advantage of a winding 

 brook over one which flows perfectly straight is obvious; 

 moreover it enables certain features to be strengthened, 

 without in any way producing an appearance of artifi- 

 ciality. For instance, the deepening of a bay will pro- 

 vide a home for various plants which would be swept 

 away by anything approaching a rush of water ; whilst 

 the making of a miniature promontory at a suitable bend 

 will hide the course of the stream from view, revealing 

 it suddenly as the pathway turns. In these and other 

 ways we can prepare our stream, so that the maximum 

 effect will be obtained when the plants and aquatics 

 have become established. 



Before attempting to plant, the character of the exist- 

 ing vegetation should be carefully studied. This will 

 vary greatly, according as the stream winds sluggishly 

 through rich water-meadows, or trickles among mossy 

 boulders and fallen tree stumps. In one case, the soil 

 will probably be a rich alluvial mud, favourable to the 

 growth of the yellow Iris or the rank growing Dropwort. 

 In the other, we shall find a variety of native ferns, 

 of small creeping things among the mosses, and bold 

 isolated clumps of golden Marigolds. Whatever ad- 

 ditional planting is done, then, must be influenced by the 

 class of plants already existing. Choice Water-Lilies, 

 so beautiful in garden tank or formal pond, would look 

 utterly out of place among the homely surroundings of 

 the meadow stream. 



The largest and boldest plants, such for instance as 

 the Cow Parsnip (Heracleum), should be reserved for 



