TREATMENT OF WATER. 289 



has been closed, and the whole basin filled to its intended 

 height. 



Planting the margins of pieces of water, if they should be 

 of much extent, must evidently proceed upon the same lead- 

 ing principle that we have already laid down for ornamental 

 plantations in other situations. That is, there must be trees 

 of different heights and sizes, and underwood and shrubs of 

 lower growth, disposed sometimes singly, at others in masses, 

 groups, and thickets ; in all of which forms, connection must 

 be preserved, and the whole must be made to blend well to- 

 gether, while the different sizes and contours will prevent 

 any sameness and confusion. On the retreating dry banks, 

 the taller and more sturdy deciduous and evergreen trees, as 

 the oak, ash, etc. maybe planted, and nearer by, the different 

 willows, the elm, the alder, and other trees that love amoister 

 situation, will thrive well. It is indispensably necessary in 

 order to produce breadth of effect and strong rich contrasts, 

 that underwood should be employed to clothe many parts of 

 the banks. Without it, the stems of trees will appear loose 

 and straggling, and the screen will be so imperfect as to al- 

 low a free passage for the vision in every direction. For this 

 purpose, we have in all our woods, swamps, and along our 

 brooks, an abundance of hazels, hawthorns, alders, spice 

 woods, winter berries, azaleas, spireas, and a hundred other 

 fine low shrubs, growing wild, which are by nature extremely 

 well fitted for such sites, and will produce immediate effect 

 on being transplanted. These may be intermingled, here 

 and there, with the swamp button-bush, [Cephalanthus) 

 which bears handsome white globular heads of blossoms, 

 and the swamp magnolia, which is highly beautiful and fra- 

 grant. On cool north banks, among shelves of proper soil, 

 upheld by projecting ledges of rock, our native Kalmias and 



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