64 THE ART AND PRACTICE OF LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 



appear as the remainder and result of such a rush of water ; the 

 shores and surroundings should all bear the expression of having 

 been moulded and modified by water action. 



Islands serve to give variety to the outline of a lake ; they can 

 be used to mask the ends, and when they are made by high ground 

 being left, a vast amount of excavation is saved. An island should 

 not be placed in the centre of a bay, but to one side of it ; and 

 there should never be fewer than sixteen feet of water between any 

 point of an island and the mainland. If a bridge be constructed 

 from the mainland to an island, it should be at the narrowest point, 

 and at right angles to the shore. When the surrounding land 

 surface is undulated, water may enter a lake at its highest point by 

 a waterfall or cascade, and the outfall may also be formed to rush 

 over a ledge or brawl over a rocky bottom. There is an expression 

 of propriety when water enters a lake by river-like means, and 

 when it comes by a slight cascade, or a series of rapids, into the 

 placid surface. The verge of water, where planting does not occur, 

 should be turfed to 6 in. below the water-line. The slope of 

 the sides immediately below the water-level should be as steep as 

 i to i, so that, in the event of the water falling, there may not be 

 a stretch of muddy foreshore laid bare. Water should never be 

 less than 3 ft. deep, as with less depth than this evaporation takes 

 place with undue rapidity, the bottom becomes heated by the sun's 

 rays, and vegetation is inconveniently stimulated. Single trees of 

 pendulous habit may be planted on the turf, to hang over the 

 water. 



The practical work in making a lake must be well directed and 

 thoughtfully planned, or vast labour- may be wasted. When the 

 natural soil on the site is not water-holding, or when the level of 

 the water is to come above the line of water-holding stratum, arti- 

 ficial means must be used to prevent unintended escape of the water 



