28 



THE GARDEN MAGAZINE 



February, 1906 



Showing the steps leading up the hill to the castle over which cypress vine 

 growing. Elephant's ear in the foreground. Water-lilies in flower 



A lawn for croquet and other games. The arbor is covered with Japan clematis 

 and abundance of flowers are in the border. Fruit trees in the background 



From whatever position this little pond is 

 viewed, a most charming picture is obtained, 

 the clear water reflecting on its surface the 

 lights and shadows of its surroundings and 

 enhancing the beauty of the plants grow- 

 ing on its banks, and just enough formal 

 lines are presented in castle, mill and 

 bridge to contrast with and render still 

 more beautiful the natural grace of plant 

 forms. 



To construct it, I had a plumber make and 

 sink a galvanized -iron pan, ten feet long, six 

 feet wide and one foot deep, the pan shown 

 by dotted lines on plan. 



The excavation was made deep enough 

 and large enough to allow a depth of eight to 

 ten inches of ashes and cinders to be placed 

 under and around the pan, to prevent any 

 lifting by frost. 



The pan is connected with the sewer drain, 

 and the outlet pipe is so arranged as to pre- 

 vent the water overflowing in summer. It 

 can be removed after the first heavy frosts, 

 and the pond is kept entirely drained during 



the winter. The pan, sunk and connected 

 with sewer drain, cost $8. 



The earth from the excavation was thrown 

 up near the fence (and here I made an inner 

 wall of inverted tomato cans to keep the dirt 

 from rotting the fence) and this hill covered 

 with slag from iron works. 



This was covered with low-trailing plants 

 and a few miniature buildings and topped 

 with a "forest," and the whole forms a very 

 pleasing background to the "lake." 



The "castle" is cut out of half-inch pine 

 and painted a light stone color. 



The "mill" with its old-fashioned over- 

 shot wheel is made of half-inch stuff, and little 

 boughs halved and nailed on the sides give it 

 the appearance of being constructed of logs. 

 The bridge is cut out of inch pine, painted 

 stone color ,and makes a very pretty effect 

 where placed; particularly pleasing is the 

 reflection of its arch in the water of the pond. 



To construct the waterfall troughs were 

 made and so placed that when water was 

 turned on it would be carried from a pipe 



back of the castle, over the waterfall, through 

 a little stream down over the wheel of the 

 mill; then the troughs were built up with 

 stones, slag and earth and planted with trail- 

 ing plants and mess, the whole to simulate a 

 natural waterfall and stream. 



In the corners of the pan I piled up earth 

 to three or four inches above the water line, 

 and continued it outside of the pan, to form 

 beds. These are planted with various 

 moisture-loving plants. In one corner is the 

 umbrella plant (Cyperus alternifolius) and 

 Jacob 's-ladder {Polemonium cceruleum) ; in 

 another corner is a huge mass of cat-tails. 



Plants of elephant's -ears thrive wonder- 

 fully in the moist soil adjoining the pond; 

 here also some iris, both wild and cultivated, 

 find themselves in their natural home and 

 show their appreciation by a profusion of 

 bloom. 



Last but not least, all weeds pulled up, 

 leaves and grass clippings and some manure 

 go to make up a compost heap, which is dug 

 into the soil the following spring. 



Entrance to the bacKyard. Annuals give 

 gorgeous color all summer 



a mass of 



Luxuriant growth of the Zanzibar castor bean. Largest 

 leaf measures 42 inches across 



The complete landscape in the backyard is a great 

 delight to the children 



