WATER GARDENS 113 



with windows at the sides and round clipped balls at each 

 of the corners. A yet higher yew-hedge encloses a 

 further secret garden, where tall trees surround what is 

 apparently a high spraying fountain. We long to take 

 boat at once and explore this island of mysteries ! 



In every garden it is this something out of reach, and 

 yet attainable to those who search, that gives interest and 

 excitement. Thus, from some suitable point of view, 

 three alleys, or vistas, cut through trees will make us 

 long to know to what they lead. The centre one is wider 

 and more important than the others, and at the end of its 

 tapis vert, upon a circular lawn, is a handsome stone 

 fountain. The other two vistas have groups of orna- 

 mental terra-cotta pots placed upon pedestals, and 

 apparently they stand in the centre of bosquets, to which 

 these alleys lead. Such a garden with formal features 

 should be near a house, because farther away we need 

 rather more natural objects. 



Hitherto we have dealt with those somewhat important 

 water gardens which can only be carried out where 

 plenty of men are employed, and therefore the larger 

 upkeep necessitated has not to be considered. It is in 

 Italy chiefly that we find models for medium-sized water 

 gardens, where utility in the way of suitable tanks for 

 dipping water-cans is combined with some degree of the 

 picturesque and paintable. 



Fig. 8 1 is a garden that could easily be adapted either 

 to a kitchen garden, or to a reserve garden, or to pleasure 

 grounds. The circles would be nice for seats, which 

 could be placed in the shadow of the spreading trees ; 

 and from these we could get a pretty view of the well 

 that supplies this garden with water. A four- feet-high 

 wall surrounds the well, above which is seen the handsome 

 stone well-head with iron ornamentation where the water- 

 bucket hangs. Small decorative pots of every description, 



