26 



The more robust plants may be pruned when necessary to keep them 

 within prescribed limits, and shaded spots will be found where the 

 Epigseas, Mitchellas, ferns, and kindred plants can be introduced, de- 

 sirable and interesting either for their floral beauty or their histori- 

 cal and botanical associations. 



WATER LAKES. 



When appropriately introduced the effect of water in pleasure 

 grounds is always pleasing; frequently it is strikingly beautiful, and, 

 of all the materials that enter into the composition of natural scenery 

 there are none that produce a greater amount of varied interest and 

 beauty. It is therefore eagerly desired as an adjunct to the mere arti- 

 ficial improvements of private residences, public institutions, and city 

 parks, and is always a valuable acquisition where it can be secured. 



To form an artificial lake the first requisite is an ample supply of 

 water at all seasons. There can not well be a more unsatisfactory 

 object in artificial grounds than a lake where the supply of water is in- 

 sufficient to keep it properly filled, and where natural facilities for a 

 constant supply does not exist, its construction should not be attempted. 

 The surface water or casual supply derived from rains and snows may 

 be sufficient during winter and spring, but entirely inadequate to meet 

 the evaporation during the summer; and lakes that are dependent 

 upon thjs source, and become partially empty and stagnant during the 

 warm season, are as injurious to health as they are opposed to all cor- 

 rect ideas of beauty. 



Water for ponds is sometimes procured from the discharges of under- 

 ground drains, and where the drained area is extensive enough to fur- 

 nish all the water necessary, which can be ascertained by observations 

 during summer, a pond may be excavated at the lowest point, allow- 

 ing the surface of the water to be on a level with the discharge pipes 

 of the drains. The excavated soil can be used in forming banks of 

 varied heights and configurations. The outline of the pond, like that 

 of a belt of trees or shrubbery border skirting a lawn, should be varied 

 and irregular, with bold points and deep indentations, and these should 

 be few and bold rather than frequent and tame. The resemblance be- 

 tween a level lawn, surrounded by curved outlines of shrubbery, and 

 that of a smooth sheet of water in a pond or small lake, with jutting 

 banks and retiring bays, is very close so far as relates to their artistic 

 treatment in ornamental planting. 



The most natural position for a sheet of water is in a hollow or low 

 ground occupied by a constantly running stream. It frequently occurs 

 that small streams are so situated that by skillfully throwing a dam 

 across the valley hollow through which the water runs a large surface 

 may be flooded and the water permanently retained. The water level 

 on the surrounding ground will probably show a beautifully varied 

 outline, which may be increased or rendered more definite by deepening 



