136 WALL AND WATER GARDENS 



deep. It is most important in the garden landscape 

 that the tanks or basins should always have the water 

 at the proper level. In the case of a service tank that 

 is a necessary reservoir, or one whose use is to dip 

 from, it is another matter, but if a basin of water 

 forms a definite part of a garden scheme the line of 

 the water at the right height is as important as any 

 other line in the design. 



The second example illustrated shows a larger tank, 

 also of good design and enriched with angle piers 

 supporting stone vases. Here the border is a little 

 raised, with a boldly curved section as befits its larger 

 area, but is not raised enough to impede the view of 

 the water or to cut it off from the beholder's enjoy- 

 ment. 



Many people will no doubt put forward an ob- 

 jection to the unprotected edge on account of danger 

 to children. But even a flat-edged tank need not 

 and should not be dangerous. In the first place there 

 is no need for any tank to be more than two feet 

 deep, while its under-water margin need not be 

 more than one foot deep. It is much better that 

 this should be in two distinct steps, the outer and 

 shallower part being two or three or more feet wide 

 according to the size of the pool. This would also 

 help to keep the water-plants in their place, as in a 

 dressed tank it looks better that whatever is grown 

 in it should be kept well away from the edge, and be 

 surrounded by a distinct margin of water. 



Nothing is better suited to this kind of tank than 

 Water-Lilies, described at length in another chapter. 



