212 



THE GENESEE FARMER. 



Sept. 





sS^mS? 



ORNAMENTAL FOUNTAINS, 



BY J. VICK, JR. 



" And in the midst of all a fountainc stood, 

 Of richest substance that on earth might bee, 



So pnro and shining that the silver flood. 



Through every channel running one might see." — Spencer. 



From the time when a " river went out of Eden to 

 water the garden" — that earliest and best of gardens, 

 in which grew "every tree that was pleasant to the 

 sight and good for food" — running water has consti- 

 tuted an important feature in ornamental gardening. 

 Although the skill of man has been exerted to its 

 utmost in devising means to adorn and beautify the 

 garden and park, that skill and exertion has produced 

 nothing that imparts such life, such a sense of sym- 

 pathy and companionship, as the sight and sound of 

 moving waters. In the trees we hear the voice of 

 nature loud and deep — the shouting of the tempest in 

 their lofty tops — and feel its sublimity: or its shrill 

 solemn voice in the firs, depressing us with a feeling 

 of loneliness. But in the moving and rippling of 

 waters there is a spirituality — an angel's voice — 

 that soothes the feelings of the beholder, and gives 

 life and pleasure to ail within the sphere of its 

 attraction. Take from the above garden view the 

 fountain, and how tame and lifeless it will appear 

 — the matter without the mind, the body without the 

 soul. Running water in the form of cascades or 

 jets not only gives animation to the scenery, but in 

 warm climates is almost indispensable, as well from 

 the refreshing sense which the eight of running 

 water always affords, as from the actual coolness 

 it diffuses around. 



FOUNTAINS— ANCIENT AND MODERN. 



Artificial fountains and jets are of great antiquity, 

 and were highly esteemed by the ancients, who 

 showed the greatest skill in their design and decora- 

 tion. Sometimes the pipes terminated in statues of 

 men, women, animals, birds, fishes and gods, and 



from them the fluid spouted high in the air. 

 Various automata were often put in motion 

 by mechanism concealed in the base or 

 pedestal. The water issuing from these 

 fountains was perfumed on particular oc- 

 casions. This fact is alluded to by Lucan 

 in the following passage: 



'As when mighty Rome's spectators meet 

 In the full theatre's capacious seat ; 

 At once by secret pipes and channels fed 

 Rich tinctures gush from every antique head : 

 At once ten thousand saffron currents flow. 

 And rain their odors on the crowd below." 



For the last century the taste for water- 

 works has been on the decline. The 

 manufacture of fountains of cast iron, 

 recently commenced, and the low price at 

 which they are now furnished of the most 

 beautiful patterns, is favorable to their 

 general introduction to public favor. The 

 beautiful specimen at the commencement 

 of this article costs $35, and the one on 

 the next page $15. We would advise 

 none to be frightened, however, even at 

 this expense, as we will tell them in the 

 proper place how to make a fountain so 

 beautiful as to be worthy the notice of all, 

 and yet so cheap as to • be within the 

 means of the poorest. 



We know of no part of ornamental 

 gardening so sadly neglected in this land, 

 and while such an increasing interest is 

 manifested by our countrymen for improving and 

 embellishing their homes, we hope the fountain — 

 so simple — so beautiful — so grateful to almost every 

 sense — will not be forgotten. Every village favorably 

 situated for water should have its public fountain. 

 We know of many in this section of country where 

 fountains could be kept constantly playing, without 

 expense or trouble, when once constructed. 



MODE OF CONSTRUCTION AND COST. 



Many are deterred from constructing fountains 

 from erroneous idea^ in regard to expense, a notion 

 that a great quantity of water is needed, and igno- 

 rance of the proper mode of construction. It shall 

 be my object to present the readers of the Farmer a 

 little light on this subject. To those who have a 

 natural head of water, the directions will bp applicable 

 with the exception of the water-butt or cistern, and 

 they will also be saved the trouble of raising water. 



Place a barrel near your well or at some place 

 convenient for filling, and at a corei lerablo elevation. 

 It should be out of sight — as behind a wall (as seen 

 in above figure,) or over an arbor, or summer-house, 

 h : d by vines and creepers — and having a bad 

 jjipe from the bottom leading to the ] lace designed 



