WATER. 63 



ness, gives that result ; a low shore, without trees or other like 

 features, though it may apparently increase the extent, does so by 

 the diminution of picturesqueness. In practice, an apparent curved 

 or bay-like outline may be given to a shore when viewed across a 

 large sheet of water, by judicious arrangement of planting, and by 

 irregular height of the banks. The extent of reflecting surface 

 should be in proportion to the extent of the visible surrounding 

 ground. If there seem to be too great a surface of water, and the 

 outlying ground be flat, portions of the distant bank may be raised 

 and planted ; then the effect will be to give proximity to such 

 objects, and to proportionally lessen in appearance the abundant 

 expanse of water. Large trees on the opposite shore of a lake 

 diminish in degree the apparent extent of the water. It is unwise 

 to allow any shore, viewed across an expanse of water, large or con- 

 tracted, to be fringed with trees, because they create a gloomy 

 impression. If for no other consideration than that of admitting 

 light, with its effect of freshness, an unbroken fringe of trees should 

 not be maintained. In such case, the removal of some in particular 

 situations, with a coincident lowering of the bank, will give an effect 

 of lengthening the water area. Promontories or projecting points 

 should be raised above the surrounding level. In forming a bay, 

 not only should the ground be taken out where the water-line 

 is formed, but the rising ground inland should be hollowed, and 

 the surface be given a concave form, gradually diminishing in 

 extent as it touches the water edge. Views from the house, or from 

 settled points, should be directed toward the bays, not only because 

 they give the largest prospect of water surface, or because of the 

 lower pitch of the intervening ground, but because a bay suggests, 

 with more or less appositeness, the idea that here was the line of 

 torrent at the supposed natural formation of the lake, where the land 

 was by such means denuded of trees. Lakes should be made to 



