SMALL WATER GARDENS 63 



of the bog garden holes were excavated of sufficient 

 size to sink the casks level with the rims. The holes 

 were dug at about seven feet apart, and were arranged 

 at irregular distances from the path, so that the tubs 

 did not form a straight line. As the ground sloped 

 naturally to the lower end, each tub, when sunk in 

 position, was slightly lower than its predecessor: on 

 the level, it would have been necessary to provide a 

 fall by digging the holes deeper in succession. 



A somewhat better effect would have been obtained 

 had the tubs, or rock pools as they now appear, been 

 spaced more irregularly. As it is, there is practically the 

 same interval between each. Two tubs close together, 

 then a third at treble the distance, followed by a cluster 

 of three, would probably have produced a more natural 

 result. 



A bricklayer was now instructed to connect the line 

 of tubs by a small watercourse ; in this case, merely a 

 shallow cemented channel. This did not run straight 

 from tub to tub, but followed a slightly winding 

 direction. The water supply was obtained from the 

 mains, and was carried down to the entrance of the bog 

 garden through ordinary iron piping. Before use, it 

 was allowed to stand for some hours in a large open 

 cistern, so that it became slightly warmed. 



Suitable receptacles for aquatics had now been pro- 

 vided, and means devised whereby the water in the 

 tubs could be renewed as often as necessary. All 

 that remained was to lay out the garden, and conceal 

 as far as possible the unsightly channel and the regular 

 circles formed by the tub edges. 



More digging was here necessary, and a further 

 eighteen inches of soil removed. Fortunately building 

 operations had been in progress, and several cart-loads 

 of broken bricks, mortar rubbish, and general debris 

 were available. A good layer of drainage material was 



