42 On the making of Watering Ponds. 



to effect, which would consist, in softening those stricter decisions, 

 which such a commission might conceive itself bound to give ; or in 

 granting those marks of approbation and reward, which, "when be- 

 stowed by the proprietor himself, are the most likely to produce the 

 most beneficial consequences. 



No. XI. 



ON THE MAKING OF WATERING PONDS, AS PRACTISED BY ROBERT 

 GARDENER, OF KILHAM, IN THE EAST RIDING OF YORKSHIRE. 



VARIOUS modes of making ponds have been adopted, with a view 

 of simplifying the process, and lessening the expense ; but the impro- 

 ved practice, invented by Robert Gardener, of which the following is 

 a description, will be found to answer in almost any situation, in every 

 country where the materials can be had. In many districts, the con- 

 struction of ponds is an object of peculiar importance, find attended 

 with great difficulty. 



Begin with marking a circle on the ground, sixty feet in diameter, 

 more or less, as the person chooses, or according to the supply of water 

 which the pasture may require ; and if of that diameter, let it be hollow- 

 ed out into the shape of a bason or bowl, to the depth of seven feet in the 

 centre. When the surface of this hollow has been raked smooth, let it 

 be well beaten over, so as to reduce it into as even, uniform, and firm 

 a surface as the nature of the ground will admit of. On this, well 

 slacked and skreened lime, must be uniformly spread, with a riddle, 

 to the thickness of two or three inches ; the more porous or open the 

 ground, the greater will be the quantity of lime required. This lime 

 must then be slightly watered, to make it adhere firmly to its place, 

 and great care must be taken, to u spread it equally, so that no place 

 may remain uncovered, as on the lime, more than on any thing else, 

 depends the success of the work. On this lime must be laid a bed of 

 clay, to the thickness of about six inches, which being moistened suf- 

 ficiently to render it ductile, is to be beaten with mallets or beetles 

 into a compact solid body, capable of being trodden upon without im- 

 pression or injury. Great care is to be taken in laying on uniformly 

 this mass of clay, and beating it into a compact body ; for which pur- 

 pose, no more must be spread at a time upon the lime, than can un- 

 dergo the beating, while it retains a proper temper or consistence for 

 the purpose. After the whole is thus finished, it is gone over several 

 times by the beaters, and sprinkled each time with water, and care is 

 taken, to prevent any cracks being formed, which might entirely de- 

 stroy the power of retention. 



Pure brick-clay is not required, but any tenacious earth, that by 

 beating will become a solid compact body, will answer the purpose. 



