THE TREATMENT OF WATER — 53 
Water may occur naturally in the garden scene, as in 
the form of lakes, ponds, rivers and streams, or artifi- 
cially by the introduction of fountains, cascades, and 
architectural objects, connected with a supply obtained 
from waterworks or pumped on the estate. In the 
former case, the designer usually resorts to means more 
or less artificial, whereby he may alter existing features 
to suit his plan or fall in with his ideas. Whilst it 
would be idle to assert that the pond or stream in its 
original form would prove best adapted for securing 
good effects in laid-out grounds, there can be no gain- 
saying the fact, that alteration and adaptation too often 
mar their natural beauty and give but little in return. 
The native brook winding its way among ragged banks, 
fringed with yellow flag and purple loosestrife, is 
charming when its surroundings consist of wood and 
brake and lush meadowland; it becomes a weedy ditch 
when shaven lawns and trim pathways have taken their 
place. The designer’s first thought when he approaches 
a site on which there is a stream or pond, must be to 
choose between two alternatives: either the water shall 
be left much as it is, and the garden planned in harmony 
with its unadorned simplicity, or the grounds be de- 
signed first, and the stream entirely altered in conse- 
quence. Needless to say, the latter step is by far the 
more expensive. 
The ‘‘landscape gardener” who has pronounced 
leanings towards architecture, will treat our streamlet 
with scant courtesy. Probably he will alter its course 
altogether, bringing it up to his terrace garden and 
confining it between strictly parallel walls of stone or 
brick. The pond will fare no better, its swampy sides, 
the former home of bulrushes and sedge, will be 
drained, promontories will be cut away, the outline 
made regular, and the whole surrounded with a balus- 
trade, on which stone vases will rise at intervals. 
