FIG. 245. 



THE DECORATIVE TREATMENT OF WATER. 



each of the four jets. A basin oval on plan is very rarely called for, and where used 

 should be treated as simply as possible. Such a shape in conjunction with an elaborately 

 moulded kerb is unthinkable. 



The design of the kerb surrounding the I B Kerbs. 



basin also allows of much variety. In simple 

 fountains a plain flag level with the path or 

 grass surrounding it is most suitable, or where 

 a greater sense of protection is required than 

 this arrangement will give, the flag may be 

 raised on a dwarf wall, so as to bring its top 

 surface about eighteen inches above the sur- 

 rounding ground, and where a roughly built 

 wall and coping are suitable, it may be adorned 

 with little water-loving ferns and plants inserted 

 into the joints between the stones, or, again, 

 oak posts may rise out of the coping at regular 

 intervals to a height of about six feet, and 

 chains be suspended between them whereon to 

 grow roses. 



Where greater .elaboration is needed, the 

 kerb may consist of blocks of stone suitably moulded, or, to obtain the richest effect of 

 all, a balustrade " leaning height " or three feet three inches high may be used and, if 

 necessary, further enriched by piers at intervals surmounted by finials, though the latter 

 must be very appropriately chosen and carefully proportioned if they are to look neither 

 obtrusive on the one hand nor insignificant on the other. 



The pond itself, which should be two feet three inches deep below the water line, 

 if water lilies are to be grown, is sometimes formed for the sake of cheapness with a 

 bottom of puddled clay and walls of brick set in hydraulic mortar with a backing of 

 the same material, but in all cases where the basin is not of extraordinary size, it is 

 far better to build the whole in cement concrete carefully finished to a smooth surface 

 and with all internal angles rounded off so as to facilitate cleaning out. Whichever 

 method is used, the inside of the pond should always be constructed so that ice may 

 rise as it expands in freezing, otherwise it will burst the rim or carry away the coping. 

 All that is necessary is to finish the sides with a slope or batter, instead of making them 

 vertical and to give them a smooth surface. 



The plumbing, consisting of the water supply with its stop cocks, the overflow Plumber's 

 and the means of emptying the basin, should receive special care, as there is nothing work for 

 so annoying and so absurd as a fountain which will not play and one which needs fountains. 

 continual tinkering, with the consequent damage to paths and lawns in digging up 

 pipes. It is impossible to lay down any rules for the size of the supply pipe as it 

 depends on so many factors which will vary in each case, but where there is any doubt 

 of the pressure or " head " on the water being adequate, much may be done by making 

 it extra large, avoiding unnecessary bends, and making those which cannot be avoided 

 as easy as possible. Whatever taps are necessary to individual jets, there should be one 

 main cock under a small hinged cast iron cover quite clear of the fountain itself. This 

 is far better than a sunk tap which must be reached with a long key which is apt to be 

 either left about in an untidy manner or mislaid altogether. Where there is only one 

 tap, the cover need not be more than four inches square, but where the supply divides 

 and each branch has separate taps for controlling different portions of the display, the 

 main cocks and all branch taps can be collected in one trap. There should also be 

 another tap as near the source of supply as possible, to allow of the pipe being kept 



183 



