SMALL PONDS AND POOLS 125 



case of this old Kentish castellated house the origin- 

 ally enclosed space is extremely restricted. The over- 

 growth of Ivy on the ancient walls, and the moat half 

 choked with Flags and wild Water-Lilies, tell the tale 

 of the encroachment of nature. Such a place seems 

 almost best as it is ; its own character stands out so 

 strongly defined that it would be almost a shock to 

 see the last new plants on its walls or in its waters. 

 Rather one would be disposed to have only the 

 oldest of our garden plants, Garden Roses, Rosemary, 

 Lavender, Paeonies, and Irises, and in the water only 

 native things ; the Flowering Rush {Butomus), Arrow- 

 head, and Buckbean. Incongruity in a case like this 

 would seem to be akin to desecration. 



Rocky pools, when cleverly designed and judiciously 

 planted, may be among the very best of garden acces- 

 sories. But unless there is some knowledge of the 

 best ways of disposing the rocks, and some definite 

 design, it is best left alone. In the pool-garden 

 shown, the rocks, especially on the further iside of the 

 water, are admirably placed, showing their continuous 

 natural stratification. But this garden was laid out 

 by an owner who would not have tolerated glaring 

 geological absurdities, and it was planted with things 

 both rare and rightly used, a combination not often 

 effected. 



The picture does not show the garden at its best, 

 as the water is below the proper level, and leaves an 

 unsightly edge of shelving bottom. It has somewhat 

 of the character of the Japanese gardens, though it 



