PUDDLING. 13 



"hardy." The soil thus dug out may be used for grading in the vicinity of 

 the pond. Provide an overflow so as to allow any algae or confervaceous 

 growth to run off. If the soil at the bottom of the pond be stiff marl, it should 

 be broken up and some good loamy soil added for planting the Lilies in. 



Local conditions are very dissimilar; in many gardens there is a natural 

 declivity and a run of water; some soils are sandy and gravelly, while others 

 are tenaceous. Near sandy stretches of land there are often to be found 

 deposits of pure clay — potter's clay. A supply of water, natural or artificial, is, 

 of course, necessary. Then, whatever natural facilities there are should be 

 taken into account and developed, which may mean a considerable saving in 

 the cost of construction. Having a supply of water and clay at command, the 

 greatest obstacles to the formation of a water garden are overcome. Having 

 selected the site, and determined on the size of the pond, its depth, etc., outline 

 the pond with grade sticks, and see that these are perfectly level. If the site 

 selected will allow an addition of six inches of soil, this will allow much in 

 digging, and in the disposal of the soil dug out. The sides of the pond must 

 be sloping outward, at an angle of 45" or more. 



PUDDLING. 

 Having dug the space for the pond, the next thing is to make it hold water. 

 Clay will effectually do this, but it needs preparation before being used, and it 

 must be pure and free from stones, and such like matters. Provide a large 

 shallow box similar to that used by masons and bricklayers for the mixing of 

 mortar ; take a suitable quantity of clay, and chop with a spade if lumpy and 

 hard, using water sparingly to soften it ; then with a wooden maul beat or 

 pound it until of proper consistency — very similar to clay, or brick earth, in the 

 making of bricks. With this clay, cover the sides of the pond to a thickness 

 of three to four inches, beating it as firmly as possible with a wooden hammer 

 or mallet ; also cover the bottom evenly and beat or tread as the work proceeds, 

 until the whole is entirely covered and made compact. If the plants are to be 

 grown in tubs or boxes, cover the bottom with about two inches of bar or beach 

 sand; this will prevent the water from getting thick and muddj% when it is 

 necessary to get in among the plants. If the pond be of moderate size, so that 

 a plank will reach across from bank to bank, and there is consequently no 

 necessity for anyone to get into the pond, soil may be placed in the bottom 

 and the plants planted in it; but in either case, use the best soil available 

 (see Soil, page 20). When covering the bottom with sand or filHng in soil, as 



