76 ROGK GARDENING FOR AMATEURS 



How it is Made. To begin with, the ground should 

 be excavated to a depth of about two and a half feet. 

 The bottom is then well trodden and laid with concrete, 

 or with stones and bricks laid in cement, with walls of 

 the same material round the sides, keeping these of 

 irregular outline. Well-puddled clay may be used 

 instead of concrete or bricks, but there is more danger 

 of its being penetrated by the roots of trees, etc. About 

 six or eight inches above the bottom insert in the side 

 wall a small pipe, either of metal or of earthenware, 

 from one and a half to two inches in diameter. The 

 pipe may be dispensed with, and a hole left in the wall 

 instead, but the pipe is better. It can then be covered 

 with a piece of perforated zinc, and a few stones placed 

 about the interior opening. 



About six inches depth of rough stones are then put 

 in and covered with turves or rough soil. On this again 

 there should be placed sufficient soil to fill the vacant 

 space, consisting of loam and peat or leaf-mould with some 

 sand added. A few stones may with advantage be mixed 

 with the compost. Some growers provide a second 

 pipe, fitted with a plug at the bottom of the bog, so 

 that when the plug is removed the water drains away. 

 This is hardly necessary, though convenient, especially 

 in winter. The surface of the soil ought to be of irregular 

 outline, some portions rising above the remainder ; and 

 an edging of rough stones, over which low-growing plants 

 may trail, will improve its appearance. 



The Bog Garden Pool. In a small bog garden a 



