PONDS. 23 



out I prefer plank, because it can always be de- 

 pended upon, repairs can be easily made, a screen 

 can be readily put in anywhere, a tight joint can always 

 be formed without trouble, tighter and more convenient 

 connections can be made with the streams, and, on 

 the whole, it stands the test of time and weather, and 

 of both the routine and emergencies of experience, bet- 

 ter than anything I know of.* 



If you object to the want of durability of wood and 

 its unsuitableness for fish, char the plank an eighth of 

 an inch deep all round, and then you have both a dura- 

 ble and a suitable material. 



I do not, however, insist upon the necessity of using 

 plank, if you think you have something better. I 

 only give the lessons of my own experience ; but, what- 

 ever you use, be sure that it is safe, that it will 

 resist the muskrats, the weather, the frost, and the 

 natural tendency to displacement, which, I suppose, 

 all materials in the earth or on its surface are sub- 

 ject to. 



If it is necessary to build a dam, I would recom- 

 mend to the inexperienced to procure, by all means, 

 the skill of an engineer, or practical dam-builder, who 

 understands the nature of running water ; for to con- 

 fine running water securely is an art in itself, and a 

 beginner is almost sure to make a mistake somewhere, 

 for which in the end he will pay a heavy penalty in 

 losses. 



Running water is the most treacherous of all things, 



* These remarks are intended, of course, for business ponds. 

 It does not matter much what amateur ponds are built of. 



