250 PONDS AND LAKES. 



once had them, any decorative piece of water without them 

 will seem almost uninteresting, no matter what other water- 

 plants are employed. 



Let me say here, before I forget, that spaces of clear 

 surface among water-plants, with undisturbed reflections, 

 are particularly necessary to secure the best effects. The 

 whole surface of the pond should be no more covered up 

 with water-lilies than fine rocks should 

 be completely masked with climbing 

 vines. 



To explain to the reader which are 

 the tender and which are the hardy 

 kinds would be a lengthy task, 

 , and I must refer him to the 

 nearest nurseryman who grows 

 aquatics. Better not grow 

 many tender plants, would 

 1* be my advice to the ordinary 

 amateur lawn-planter. 



The success of this treat- 

 ment of my stream certainly 

 affords me great pleasure, 

 and I need hardly say I am 

 proud of it. It has, however, done more than that. One 

 or two of my neighbors are, I see, already following my 

 example, with promising results. In the village, also, near 

 by, there is a fountain, and in the basin I have persuaded 

 the authorities to arrange some boxes of lilies and lotuses 

 renewed every year with purchased plants, and in place of 

 a great iron Neptune, painted white and surrounded by white 



AN ARRANGEMENT OF WATER-LILIES 

 AND PAPYRUS. 



