MAKING A POND. g 



Bamboos, Japan and other Iris, constitute one of the greatest attractions of a 

 landscape, and can be seen in all the leading public parks, gardens, cemeteries, 

 and private gardens ; then, to them, add the most striking of all aquatics, the 

 tropical Nymphseas, and other tropical terrestrial plants that can be grown 

 during the summer under precisely the same conditions (they make rapid 

 growth and flower profusely), and there is produced a mass of flowers of 

 gorgeous colors that cannot be rivaled by any other class of plants in this 

 or any other country. 



On many estates a natural pond or stream of water is to be found ; if such 

 be outside the limits of the garden proper, yet in such a location that it is in 

 sight of a driveway or footpath, a few clumps of the red or yellow Nymphaeas 

 or a mass of the Egyptian Lotus add a special charm to such a spot, and will 

 make it inviting and attractive. 



Where a stream of water exists a dam may be built and a pond made at 

 a moderate cost. It is not necessary that the pond be more than from eighteen 

 inches to three feet in depth ; a natural soil inclining to heavy is preferable, 

 avoiding gravelty and sandy soils. Exceptionally finely colored flowers are 

 grown in ponds with clay bottoms. 



MAKING A POND. 



Presuming a pond is to be made by damming a stream, the first thing to 

 do is to clear the ground of any brush, dead stumps, coarse weeds and such like. 

 Then mark out the pond with stakes driven into the ground about five or six 

 paces apart, taking levels to ascertain the exact grade. This may be done with 

 an ordinary spirit level and straight edge, if the space be only about a hundred 

 feet long, but if it be much larger it is advisable to have a surveyor's instru- 

 ment for the purpose. Having ascertained the exact grade, an estimate can 

 be made of the soil to be removed in leveling for the bottom, and building the 

 dam. This latter must be of size and strength in proportion to the size of the 

 pond, to resist the pressure and weight of the water it will have to hold in. 



A dam may be built entirely of masonry if desired, and if material for that 

 purpose be on the ground it can be used to advantage. An overflow must be 

 provided, and provision made, either by paving with stones or planks, to prevent 

 the bank from being washed away. An outlet is not an absolute necessity, 

 and would seldom, if ever, be wanted in a shallow pond ; but when it is con- 

 sidered desirable to have such, a simple outlet may be provided by using large 

 drain or soil pipes before the dam is erected. The size of the pipe must be 



