PRACTICAL BOOK OF GARDEN ARCHITECTURE 



Smith was not only able to give me facts and figures 

 concerning these good-sized, convenient, durable, and 

 low-priced pools, when I consulted him in regard to 

 establishing one in a secluded corner of the garden, 

 but he was able to show me the most practical and 

 decorative forms of concrete pools that have actu- 

 ally been constructed at these low figures. Accord- 

 ing to this good authority, concrete usually consists 

 of Portland cement, sand and crushed rock. When 

 more convenient to obtain it, clean gravel (sand and 

 pebbles) can be used instead of the sand and crushed 

 rock. Frequently the gravel can be had for the haul- 

 ing. In such case the construction is exceedingly 

 cheap, as only Portland cement need be bought. 



The swimming pool may be located anywhere ex- 

 cept on recently made ground. The tank need not 

 be its entire depth in the ground, but must be sunk 

 deep enough to secure a firm foundation, and it is 

 also important to have the bottom below the frost 

 line. The side walls should extend at least one foot 

 above the ground level, in order to keep out flood 

 water. A height of three feet is better, as the side 

 walls will then serve as a railing or fence, as well as 

 affording a good height for a dive for youngsters 

 who have not mastered the spring-board. 



For a rectangular-shaped pool fifteen by fifty 

 feet in the clear, the bottom is made sloping in order 



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