THE DECORATIVE TREATMENT OF WATER. 



ground. Where the level of the supply at the inlet makes it necessary greatly to exceed 



the latter depth, the depressing effect which would otherwise result may be removed 



by making two small 



banks instead of one 



large one, and forming 



a path between the 



two, as shown in the 



accompanying sketch 



(111. No. 255). 



So far, we have 

 dealt with formal 

 arrangements of water 

 for use in the more 

 ornamental portions 

 of the grounds, but 

 naturally treated 

 streams and lakes have 

 also their use and 

 special charm in the 

 more outlying por- 

 tions of the domain 

 and in the wild gar- FIG. 257. FORMAL CANAL UNDER CONSTRUCTION. 



den. 



The landscape architect is often unjustly condemned for his natural treatment of The 

 water, his work being mistakenly associated with some of the absurd engineering feats of informal 

 Capability Brown or the ridiculous miniature lakes so often squeezed into suburban gardens, treatment of 

 Where, however, the design and construction of such sheets of water are approached in a wa * er - 

 right spirit, and the mind of the designer is imbued with a great love of Nature, and he 

 is content not only to be led by her in designing his work, but to follow her methods 

 as far as may be in their construction, the finest possible results may be obtained. 

 When, as frequently happens, a pond or lake already exists, and the task is one of help- 

 ing Nature to reassert herself and to attain her highest achievement, the result may be, 

 and often is, one of the most delightful parts of the domain. Here grow to perfection 

 plants which succeed nowhere else, ferns and lichen cover 'the rocks, and the sporting of 

 fish in the pools, the diversions of the waterfowl, the ripple and sparkle of water and the 

 waving of flags and reeds, all combine harmoniously to charm both eye and ear. A 

 spacious sheet of water is not only invariably a welcome feature in- the landscape, but 

 under ordinary conditions furnishes boating in Summer and skating in Winter, and in 

 these days of artificially-raised rainbow and Loch Leven trout, fishing in almost all seasons. 



Lakes which entail a great expense in construction are seldom satisfactory, the best Lakes. 

 effects being almost invariably obtained where little more is required than a short dam 

 across a valley or dell. In such a case the lake must inevitably take an outline which 

 will exactly harmonize with its surroundings, for if the ground is gently undulating in 

 character, the margin will take easy, flowing lines, as in illustration No. 258, whereas 

 if the contours are bold and rugged, it will be much serrated and more in keeping with 

 the surrounding wildness. The only adaptation essential in such cases would be that 

 necessary to prevent the whole area of water from being seen at once^ a result which is 

 generally best attained by the formation of carefully placed and planted islands, thus 

 giving that indefiniteness of extent and variety of prospect from different positions, which 

 makes the Lake in Kew Gardens so charming, a result which, in this instance, is enhanced 

 by half a century of planting, thinning, and judicious selection in the plantations and 



193 



