1 66 The Flower Garden [Chapter 



from a well or supplied by a wind-mill. Such a pond 

 has this advantage over one made of cement, that 

 semi-aquatic plants, such as Reeds and Bamboos, Jap- 

 anese Iris, Cardinal Flowers, and the native Flame 

 Lily may find a place on its banks and add greatly to 

 the beauty of the pond. 



When one is so fortunate as to have a little stream 

 flowing through a corner of the grounds it can be 

 diverted to form a pond with sufficient current to pre- 

 vent stagnation, yet not enough to interfere with the 

 growing of water-plants. By selecting a low spot 

 beside the stream very little excavating will be nec- 

 essary, and the nature of the soil and force of the 

 water will decide what, if any, barrier may be needed. 

 Should the stream be some distance from the house 

 a shrubbery, hardy perennials, and an occasional tree 

 may lead up to the pond. If this is so fortunately 

 placed as to be on the north side of the grounds, so 

 that the sun lies on it when seen from the house, the 

 effect will be greatly heightened by a clump of ever- 

 greens on its northern shore, making a background 

 to arrest the eye and focus it on the lily pond. Where 

 the landscape is limited, a group of tall Bamboos is 

 effective at this point, and Japanese Iris may have a 

 place in the foreground; Sagittarias and ornamental 

 grasses may also be used with good results. 



Where one lacks the advantage of natural condi- 

 tions a cement pond is a good substitute. It may 

 be expensively constructed with piping for water, 



