THE DECORATIVE TREATMENT OF WATER. 



sedges. The banks on either side were already somewhat sparsely clothed with under- 

 growth under the beech trees shown in the photograph, and by the addition of many 

 native shrubs and bushes, they were given a covering of luxuriant growth. 



Both here and in the stream at Ballimore the stone used was gathered from the 

 surrounding plantations, and where the surface was weathered or covered with moss, 

 this was carefully preserved, with the result that the work had not that aggressive new- 

 ness which usually spoils artificial rockwork until Nature has had time to reassert herself. 

 Fissures or " pockets " of earth were also purposely formed in the rockwork, in which 

 might be planted the ferns and wild perennials which abound on the estate. 



It is wonderful what an effective stream can be made with only the tiniest flow of 

 water if it be properly treated. There are instances where quite a satisfactory effect has 

 been obtained where no stream at all originally existed, and the whole supply has been 

 collected by draining pasture land at a higher level than the gardens. The secret of 

 success is never to let the water trickle anywhere, but to arrange it in a series of large 

 pools with falls between. The smallest fall makes a brave show compared with the 

 same amount of water trickling or gliding over or among stones, and the pools suggest 

 a larger supply than may be actually present. 



The practical detail of most importance in the formation of artificial rockwork, where 

 the natural stones are cemented together, or the finer strata are formed of artificial stone, 

 and especially where the pools are lined in cement to economise a small water supply, 

 is prevention from damage by frost. In such cases it is far the best method to place 

 the work in the hands of a professional rock builder whose past work has shown him to 

 possess the necessary artistic discrimination for his task, and who does not fall into the 

 very common error of overdoing the amount of rock. 



The planting of rockwork is treated of in the next chapter, which deals with the 

 whole subject of rock gardens. 



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