THE NEW WATER-GARDENING 243 



not well to have every square inch of water covered with 

 a mass of vegetation, because then the beautiful effect of 

 the play of light and shade on the water is lost ; its 

 cheerful glitter and sparkle no longer charm the eye. 

 Alternate patches of Lilies and bare water look best ; 

 then the sun lights up the whole pool, giving restful 

 suggestions of mingled coolness and repose. 



The ideal water-garden is one the northern and eastern 

 sides of which are sheltered by shrubs or trees. The latter 

 should not, however, come down close to the water-edge, 

 but leave space for a green, winding path, between which 

 and the water are clumps of bold, showy flowers, broken 

 by bare spaces and clusters of reeds. On the southern and 

 western sides the trees and shrubs are more distant, so 

 that the sun gets free access to the water ; the margins 

 are lower and planted with beautiful bog plants. A 

 stone-strewn path, lined with ferns and moisture-loving 

 flowers, winds away from the waterside towards an 

 opening in the trees, where a seat lurks half hidden in 

 the shade. 



Such a pool-paradise as this is worth an effort to gain, 

 and in the heat of summer it will become a veritable 

 " haunt of peace.'' 



