88 THE BOOK OF GARDEN FURNITURE 



much of the seaside aquarium, and, besides, have no 

 associations with purely garden scenes. Where larger 

 and more important designs are considered appropriate 

 to the surrounding, as in the purely formal or Italian 

 style of garden design, the central jet may be elevated 

 above tiers of basins, into which the water falls and 

 finally descends into the pond. The good effect of large 

 fountains is often spoilt by having the water thrown in 

 too many directions. In order to look graceful it should 

 spurt from the central shaft outwards, and not be met 

 with showers of spray launched from other jets concealed 

 round the rim of the basin. One of the most absurd 

 arrangements connected with the artificial display of 

 water in the garden, is that of placing a jet in the centre 

 of a large pond with natural surroundings. A single 

 column of water rising from the calm waters of a lily 

 pond, only serves to mar the shadows and reflections to 

 which these spots owe so much of their beauty. 



The situation for the fountain will depend entirely 

 upon whether it is simple or elaborate in form. When 

 there is much stone or metal work, or where the design 

 is embellished with groups and statuary, there is but one 

 place where it will prove suitable — the formal garden. 

 Associated with vases, balustrading, and other archi- 

 tectural features, it will be quite in keeping with a 

 florid and pretentious style of garden design, which entails 

 vast expense and brings but little reward. The small 

 garden, where Nature's methods of planting are more 

 closely followed, need not be without its fountain, but in 

 this case it must be of totally different design. A small 

 basin, in which may be planted water-lilies, the Cape 

 Pond Weed, and flowering rushes, should be sunk as 

 inconspicuously as possible near to an arbour, or in the 

 flagged pathway between the rows of herbaceous flowers. 

 If there is an old yew hedge or clump of dark-hued ever- 

 greens, the fountain will look well if the jet is made to 



