74 Tlw ForiiiaUou uf Art'ijiclul Lu/ces: 



admirable little machine, the hydraulic ram. Three of these unceasing 

 laborers will supply a small pond with water sufficient to keep up a 

 current, and thus prevent the accumulation of stagnant matter. Water, 

 by means of the hydraulic ram, may be conducted several miles, when 

 necessary. All that is required to operate it is a head of water, •which 

 should not be less than ten feet. This will be capable of forcing a portion 

 of the water which runs through the ram to the height of an hundred feet 

 or more. The better method is to elevate the water, when convenient to 

 a neighboring hill, on which a cement or cedar cistern can be baik ; 

 from this reservoir it can be conducted to the desired locality in a steady 

 stream. The expense attendant upon the enterpri.se is much less than 

 one would imagine ; S600 would purchase three rams of large size, and 

 the necessary tubing to convey water for a mile, and also build a cistern 

 and other contingent requirements. 



To give an artificial stream the appearance of nature's handiwork is a 

 desideratum not so readily obtained. Most of our people who live 

 elegantly in the country are such as have escaped the dust and smoke of 

 large cities, and are therefore in a highly artificial condition regarding 

 the beautiful in nature. As a result, we have fish-ponds (when attempted) 

 very decorously margined with regularly sloped terrace, from which 

 superior vegetation is kept in respectable speetatorship at a distance from 

 this immense bowl. Grass is permitted to grow on the border, and 

 receives a semi-monthly clipping ; but pond lilies are eradicated the 

 moment their struggling heads arise to the .surface. In order to prevent 

 the appearance of .sTich untutored vegetation, the bottom of the pond (we 

 can bring to mind two instances) is paved with clam shells or cobble 

 stones. To those disposed to persist in this absurd practice, we would 

 suggest the use of Russ pavement laid in cement, it being a higher state 

 of artificialit}-, and is economical. It prevents the loss of water by 

 percolation ; and then, by the medium of a gate — which could doubtless 

 be rendered a higlily ornamental feature — the water could be drawn off, 

 and the bottom scrubbed out as occa.sion demanded. 



Localities which afford an ample supply of water arc generally sufiici- 

 entl}' undulating or acclivitous to present that other absolute essential to 

 the formation of larger lakes, viz., a valley whose margin poi-forms natural 

 curves or gives precipitous sides. The configuration of the banks is of 

 more importance in producing .scenic expression than is generally admitted 

 by those whose energies are directed to this branch of landscape art. If 

 before improving gi'ound? with water, held in artificial bounds, the pro- 



