TREATMENT OF WATER. 293 



over a few fantastic stones, has a kind of lulling fascination 

 for the ear, and when this sound can be brought so near as 

 to be distinctly heard at the residence itself, it is peculiarly 

 delightful. Now any one who examines a small cascade at 

 all attentively, in a natural brook, will see that it is often 

 formed in the simplest manner by the interposition of a few 

 large projecting stones, which partially dam up the current 

 and prevent the ready flow of the water. Such little cas- 

 cades are easily imitated, by following exactly the same course, 

 and damming up the little brook artificially; studiously 

 avoiding however, any formal and artificial disposition of the 

 stones or rocks employed. 



Larger water-falls and cascades cannot usually be made 

 without some regular head or breastwork, to oppose more 

 firmly the force of the current. Such heads may be formed 

 of stout plank and well prepared clay ;* or, which is greatly 

 preferable, of good masonry laid in water cement. After a 

 head is thus formed it must be concealed entirely from the 

 eye by covering it both upon the top and sides with natural 

 rocks and stones of various sizes, so ingeniously disposed, as 

 to appear fully to account for, or be the cause of, the water- 

 fall. 



The axe of the original backwoodsman appears to have 

 left such a mania for clearing behind it, even in those por- 

 tions of the Atlantic states where such labour should be for- 

 pver silenced, that some of our finest places in the country 

 will be found much desecrated and mutilated by its careless 

 and unpardonable use ; and not only are fine plantations 



• It is found that strong loam or any tenacious earth well prepared by pud- 

 dling or beating in water is equally impervious to water as clay ; and may there- 

 fore be used for lining the sides or dams of bodies of made water when such 

 materials are required. 



