78 ROCK AND WATER GARDENS 



The shape of garden tanks will necessarily be deter- 

 mined by the situation for which they are designed. 

 Speaking generally, however, the more severe their 

 outline, the better. Nothing can exceed in suitability 

 a rectangular basin, with a broad coping of wrought 

 stone, set in a framework of turf. If the pool is in view 

 of the house, it may be necessary to slightly amplify the 

 design, so that it may not appear inharmonious with the 

 lines of the building. A good effect may be obtained 

 by forming the ends into the shape of a Moorish arch, 

 the bays being deeply recessed. So long as the outline 

 is bold and dignified, enabling the eye to grasp the whole 

 scheme at a glance, a satisfactory appearance is practically 

 certain. It is the scalloped edges, the sinuous curves and 

 raised parapets, that disfigure so many of the creations of 

 the garden architect. 



Garden tanks are often set in dreary expanses of 

 gravelled walk, or at the meeting of several pathways. 

 Many of these are in kitchen gardens, and have formerly 

 served the useful purpose of supplying soft water for 

 greenhouses and vegetables generally. The worst of 

 these places is that there is no possible inducement to 

 remain for more than a minute or so. Be the lilies never 

 so fine, we lose altogether the sense of peace and stillness 

 that rightly belongs to the garden ; we can never feel 

 alone. 



An ideal position for the simplest form of garden tank 

 would be the centre of a rectangular court, a brick or 

 stone-walled enclosure with a doorway at either end. 

 Here would be assured a degree of warmth and shelter 

 that would make it a pleasant spot for reading or work- 

 ing, even in the early days of the year. A grass margin 

 would fittingly surround the flat kerb, whilst clumps of 

 Irises, Shrubby Spiraeas, Cannas, Paeonies, Funkias, Lilies, 

 and bold foliage plants, could be grouped in masses 

 behind. On the wall, what opportunities for growing 



