THE NEW WATER-GARDENING 235 



In any ground preparation which may be practised 

 in connection with water-gardening due consideration 

 should be given to the importance of admitting unbroken 

 sunshine, which not only warms but lights up the wa'ter, 

 giving it life and cheerfulness. Trees at such a distance 

 that they only throw vagrant shadows across the face of 

 the water are not objectionable. A belt on the north 

 and east is not detrimental, however close to the water 

 it may lie ; indeed, it may be considered an advantage 

 on account of providing shelter. 



In modifying ground to make it suitable for a water- 

 garden regard should be had to the desirability of having 

 gently sloping rather than sharply pitched banks, and 

 to having a fairly large and shallow pool in preference to 

 a small and deep one. A depth of three feet is better 

 than six, partly because it favours the cultivation of 

 choice plants which are not suited by deep water, and 

 partly because it is less dangerous in case of an in- 

 voluntary immersion on the part of an absorbed and 

 enthusiastic gardener. 



The ideal water-garden is a winding, narrowish pool 

 ranging from a foot to three feet deep. The broader the 

 margin of shallow the better, because then there will be 

 no difficulty in surrounding the water with a good fringe 

 of reeds and moisture-loving flowering plants, such as 

 Willow herbs, Japanese Irises, Water Flags, Bog Beans, 

 Lady's Smocks, Marsh Marigolds and Lady's Slippers. 



Where running water is available stones should be 

 lain in it for the sake of the pleasant tinkle, so grateful 

 to the ear of the Nature-lover on blazing summer days, 

 when dragon-flies dart and hover ; and in any case stones 

 may be put in the shallows, if only for the sparkle and 

 play of the sunlit water as it lifts and laps under the 

 heat-haze. 



