I I 2 



THE FLOWER GROWER'S GUIDE. 



WATER SCENES, CASCADES, AND FOUNTAINS. 



A large expanse of water worthy of being termed a lake, is a great feature in the 

 landscape, and affords welcome opportunities for recreation and enjoj^ment. In some 

 instances, thanks to the natural conformation of the sites and the holding nature of the 

 sub-soil, lakes or large ponds have been formed without much labour or expense, but in 

 the majority of cases they prove luxuries more or less costly ; not in formation 

 only, but subsequently, in consequence of leakages, mud, and weeds, all of which have 

 to be reckoned with. Where large areas of water are desired, engineers or others 

 having had experience in this kind of work should be employed to form them. 



Smaller sheets of water are sometimes introduced with excellent effect in pleasure- 

 grounds, though also, it must be added, serious mistakes are not infrequently made in 

 providing them. So-called ponds that can only be kept filled with water at seasons of 

 the year when least appreciated are worse than disappointing, as they may be stagnant 

 and offensive in the summer, the very time when a full and clear supply is appre- 

 ciated. Drains from higher ground cannot always be depended on, though a strong 

 s]3ring might be turned to account in feeding a small pond, with a steady outlet for 

 keeping the water puce. Still more to be desired are running streams, as with their aid 

 sheets of water can be easily formed and beautiful effects produced (see page 114.) 



The question to be decided by those who own or have to deal with natural streams 

 of water, is whether or not anything would be gained by constructing a pond. Occa- 

 sionally it would, perhaps, be more satisfactory to concentrate attention on the beauti- 

 tication of the stream, adding rockwork in some places, and planting bold masses of 

 the stronger-growing, moisture-loving ferns, including osmundas, lastreas, athyriums, 

 and struthiopterises, with Flowering Eushes (Butomus umbellatus), Water Plantains 

 (Alisma plantago), Water Arums (Calla palustris). Water Irises, also epilobiums, 

 sedges, and similarly appropriate plants in other positions. It is possible, when a 

 stream runs through the lower parts of pleasure-grounds, to have both effects ; that is to 

 say, a delightful brook widening into a miniature lake. Streamlets may also, some- 

 times, be diverted from an adjacent river, and cascades formed with its aid, as iu the 

 case of Mr. A. H. Smee's interesting garden at Carshalton, Surrey. 



Whether the course of a brook is changed, or a streamlet diverted from a river, 

 everything possible should be done to make the effect appear natural and the work 

 durable. The stream ought to be neither straight, nor, if there is a heavy rush of 



