INFORMAL WATER GARDENS 127 



stones are put in the pools, if they are shallow, to lend 

 excitement to the walk that follows the line of water. 



A spare portion of a kitchen garden was once utilized 

 to form an aquatic and bog garden. The ground was 

 upon a slope which ran down on the north side ; this 

 meant shadow for the plants. The place for the proposed 

 stream was dug out, and the earth excavated was heaped 

 up to form high banks where it is shown upon the plan. 

 Water was laid on near by, and all that had to be done 

 was to connect it with the pipes laid down in the water- 

 course which is shown. It was easy to so manage the 

 excavations that small cascades, waterfalls, and pools were 

 contrived at intervals, and thus the varying music of 

 bubbling, rippling, falling water lent enchantment. The 

 dotted line indicates the path which was laid down with 

 stepping-stones made of old pavement slabs. In one or 

 two places it could be made to cross the stream, in order 

 to make it possible to look more nearly at some of the 

 moisture-loving plants. This sketch is given to show 

 how easily a waste portion of ground can, if necessary, 

 be utilized for such a purpose and made very attractive 



A delightful stream garden is contrived in another way 

 if there happens to be a reservoir from which water can 

 be obtained. A deep trench is dug, about six feet deep 

 and five or six feet wide. Below this trench pipes are 

 laid, and water flows into them from the reservoir. At 

 the termination of the winding, snake-like course 

 pursued by the ditch the paths are turned back, and the 

 water is allowed to flow out into the ditch and return 

 along it to the reservoir. Thus an artificial flowing 

 stream is formed. The earth that is excavated to make 

 the ditch, with other soil besides, is thrown up upon 

 either side of the stream, and moisture-loving plants are 

 planted on it and also close to the water's edge. Tall 



