CHAP. II. 



POND MAKING. 



695 



packed on edge, and carefully finished round the rim of the pond, 

 where it may be covered with gravel. 



Such a pond is kept supplied with surface water, conducted into it 

 by shallow gutters running down from higher ground. 



It is important that a regular supply of water should be conveyed to 

 the different yards attached to the farm-house. Where there is a 

 running stream this may be easily effected, otherwise there must be a 

 reservoir in the highest part of the homestead. 



The annexed illustration (fig. 232) shows the outline of a pond for 

 soils where there is a scarcity of water, of which description there were 

 many in the county of York, before these ponds were introduced. We 

 direct attention to it on account of its ingenuity, and its perfect success, 

 and because it may supply a valuable hint to those needing ponds. 



The line A represents an excavation, made in the ground, of such 

 dimensions as circumstances may require. On this a stratum of clay, 

 B, is carefully beaten and trodden until it becomes a solid compact 



Fig. 232. Section of a Watering Pond. 



mass, from four to six inches in depth. The line c indicates a layer 

 of quicklime, about an inch or an inch 'and a half in thickness, which is 

 also uniformly spread over the whole. D is a second stratum, or bed of 

 clay, which is likewise from four to six inches in depth, and beaten and 

 trodden down as before. The letter E designates stones or gravel, 

 either of which mnst be spread on the second bed of clay, to such a 

 thickness as will prevent the pond from being poached or injured l>y the 

 feet of cattle, and consequently save the water from being discharged 

 through the pores of the earth. F delineates the line of level both of 

 the ground and of the water ; and, when thus finished, the pond will be 

 about five feet deep, and forty- five in diameter. The expense of con- 

 structing ponds of this size is stated to have been in former times 

 from 4/. to 6Z., according to the distance the clay had to be carted. 

 We suspect, however, that these sums would be nearly trebled at the 

 present day. Reservoirs thus formed will remain unimpaired for many 

 years, as the lime prevents worms from striking either upwards or 

 downwards, and, of course, from damaging the clay. 



The most simple kind of pond is that in which the water stands in a 

 gravel bed near the surface, for then it is only necessary to excavate, 

 as the water will rise into the hollow so long as the springs continue 

 high enough. 



Ponds have been conveniently classified as: (1) those maintained 

 by main springs, (2) those maintained by land springs, (3) those which 



