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How to Make a Flower Garden 



" The margin was well sodded, in order to secure a firm and moderately dry edge " 



tell my experience as an amateur water gardener, that others may, if 

 they wish, go and do likewise. 



The meadow where the pond is situated was rather damp, and at times 

 quite wet and boggy. The soil is a black and heavy peaty loam, with a 

 subsoil of gravel and fine blue clay. This particular spot was naturally so 

 wet and difficult to drain thoroughly that it seemed admirably adapted for 

 this purpose, especially so as it was well protected at the north from the 

 cold winds by a heavy growth of willow trees; while nothing intervened 

 to the south to cut off the sun's rays, which shone all day upon it. 



With these natural advantages in my favour, the work of building the 

 pond seemed already well begun. In order to clearly show the outline, and 

 to form some idea of what the shape ought ultimately to be, to conform 

 with the lay of the adjoining land, stakes were driven into the ground at 

 intervals of every two feet along the prospective margin, and the excavation 

 of the soil was begun. Through the center of the pond the dirt was removed 

 to a depth of five feet, well down to the gravel and clay. During the work 

 of excavation, three blind or stone drains were encountered. They led 



