158 OLanfcscape Brcbitecture 



and should not be attempted except after due consid- 

 eration and the full recognition that failure is quite 

 likely, and that the work may have to be done over 

 more than once. Landscape gardening affords more 

 temptations than most occupations to dream dreams 

 the practical realization of which will be found almost 

 if not quite impossible. 



In order to form some idea of what the construction 

 of an ideal lake means the accompanying illustration 

 is given of Prof. C. S. Sargent's artificial lake on his 

 estate of Holm Lea, Brookline, Boston, Mass. 



"It was formed by excavating a piece of swamp 

 and damming a small stream which flowed through 

 it. In the distance toward the right the land lies 

 low by the water and gradually rises as it recedes. 

 Opposite us it forms little wooded promontories 

 with grassy stretches between. Where we stand it 

 is higher, and beyond the limits of the picture to the 

 left it forms a high steep bank rising to the lawn on 

 the farther side of which stands the house. The 

 base of these elevated banks and the promontories 

 opposite are planted with thick masses of rhododen- 

 drons, which flourish superbly in the moist peaty 

 soil, protected as they are from drying winds by the 

 trees and high ground. Near the low meadow a 

 long stretch of shore is occupied with .thickets__of 

 hardy azaleas. Beautiful at all seasons, the pond 

 is most beautiful in June when the rhododendrons 

 are ablaze with crimson and purple and white and 



