242 PLANTING THE ORNAMENTAL GROUNDS 



habit chiefly foliage plants, with leaves of different 

 forms and colors are planted in patterns not unlike 

 carpets or rugs. 



Beds composed of the large foliage plants, for pro- 

 ducing tropical effects, are composed, in the main, of 

 plants which are allowed to develop naturally. In the 

 lower and more orderly massing, the plants are arranged 

 not only in circles and patterns according to habit and 

 height, but the selection is such that some or all may 

 be kept within proper limits by pinching or trimming. 

 Circles or masses composed of flowering plants usually 

 cannot be cut back at the top, so that the habit of the 

 plants must be known before planting; and they must 

 be placed in parts of the bed where trimming will not be 

 necessary. They may, however, be clipped at the sides 

 in case the branches or foliage of one mass or line in 

 the pattern grows beyond its proper bounds. 



Aquatics may often be used to good effect in the 

 landscape. This is especially true of such large and bold 

 kinds as the lotus, which makes a very strong contrast 

 against a building or a background of foliage. Ponds 

 are usually protected at the edges by mason-work, and 

 in loose soils they have cement bottoms. In some soils, 

 a simple excavation will hold water, but it is usually 

 necessary to give the tank some kind of lining. Clay is 

 often used. The bottom and sides of the tank are 

 pounded firm, and then covered with three to six inches 

 of clay, which has been kneaded in the hands, or pounded 

 and worked in a box. Handfuls or shovelfuls of the 

 material are thrown forcibly upon the earth, the operator 

 being careful not to walk upon the work. The clay is 

 smoothed by means of a spade or maul, and it is then 

 sanded. These lily tanks are from two to three feet 

 deep. 



Aquatics in the open nearly always show to best ad- 

 vantage if a few tall bog plants are grown with them. 



