PRACTICAL BOOK OF GARDEN ARCHITECTURE 



bank of the big lake or basin, which has been dredged 

 to splendid dimensions. A wide expanse of marsh 

 land leading down to the bay this low, wet land is 

 known as the " savannah' 7 in southern Florida, has 

 had the sand and soft white rock scooped from 

 Biscayne Bay, by means of a powerful dredge. After 

 dumping the dredging about the rim of the great 

 basin, or garden lake, the dredge was put to work 

 within the enclosure ; and the wet swampy land was 

 removed, to increase the height of the walls, and to 

 leave a big basin to be filled with water from the bay. 

 A sea wall of the coral rock, which hardens on ex- 

 posure to the air until it is as firm and durable as 

 granite, was then built all around the big lake. A 

 stately grove of cocoanut palms was planted along 

 the broad margin, where the rich soil and sand were 

 filled in. Finally a little canal was cut between the 

 new lake and beautiful old Biscayne Bay, and the 

 lake filled with water to tide level. The rich tropical 

 vegetation, peculiar to southern Florida, clusters 

 closely about the banks of the water, and overhangs 

 the picturesque pavilion tea house, anchored securely 

 on the white rock. The tall palm trees, with their 

 immense clusters of cocoanuts, reflected in the water ; 

 the great screening tangle of palmetto, the over- 

 powering fragrance of myriads of blooming plants, 

 and all the fascinating mystery peculiar to the tropi- 

 cal garden, require this one little touch of home 



72 



