NATURAL PONDS. 29 



occupy as little space as possible. Bold rocks should be used wherever 

 possible and especially where the pond is of large dimensions. Ferns, Bam- 

 boos, shrubs and trees planted on the face of such and in the background 

 are very effective; and if it be possible, a stream of water, natural or artificial, 

 should take its course over the rocks into the pond below. Nothing, indeed, 

 could be more picturesque than such a scheme properly carried out. 



A pond of irregular outline, either on the lawn or surrounded by a gravel 

 walk or drive, may afford ample space for numerous plants in clumps or groups, 

 close to the margin and yet at the same time leave opening of sufficient space 

 to allow different views of the pond and its occupants. 



The Victoria pond shown on page 35 is an artificial one, where native 

 plants figure largely on the margin, very charmingly and effectually obliter- 

 ating any signs of masonry or traces of the fact that the whole is artificial. Iris 

 Kaempferi, Eulalia in variety, and Musas were planted, and native plants grow- 

 ing wild in that section were allowed to grow and luxuriate in their own natural 

 bent and inclination. As nothing could be planted directly in the pond, the 

 Nelumbiums, Thalia, and Cyperus shown are grown in tubs, the rich green 

 foliage — relieved occasionally by the Lotus flowers — standing two to four feet 

 above the surface of the water, breaking the line and giving depth. Shallow 

 pockets are made on the inside margin of the pond to hold soil for such plants 

 as Limnanthemum indicum, Limnocharis Humboldti, Myosotis, Eichornia 

 azurea, Callas, Lobelias, Scirpus, Sagittarlas — all of which delight in shallow 

 water. Where these are not damaged by overhanging luxuriant growth of 

 the plants on the outer margin of the pond, they form a most pleasing and 

 artistic method of planting the edge of artificial areas. 



The dealing with the margin of a natural piece of water is not so difficult 

 as the manipulation of the edge of an artificial, cemented, or walled pond. As 

 a rule, the water near the edge, or at least a part of it, will be shallow, and 

 many plants delighting in just such conditions as are thus afforded may be 

 planted with telling effect. Whatever may be the piece of water that is to be 

 planted, the margin should receive first consideration: the water line should 

 present an irregular outline, no straight, parallel, or regular lines should be 

 permitted; shallow pools and bays should be constructed where necessary, if 

 such do not exist naturally, for such plants as flourish in shallow water. 

 Clumps of shrubbery, subtropical perennial plants, with large shade trees, 

 forming a secluded and quiet retreat as is so well represented in the illustration 

 on page 31, must be borne in mind. Under such trees, and through shrubbery, 



