LAKES AND CASCADES. 



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affording a good opportunity for constructing a small waterfall, partly shown at h. 

 In this case a depth of 5 feet in the centre, with a gentle rise to the sides, where there 

 ought to be o feet of water, was arranged for ; and these figures apply generally. If 

 shallower than this, too much water is lost by rapid evaporation on hot sunny days. 

 Sloping banks should be formed and the turf, where possible, reach down to the water. 

 Avoid following the exact outline of a lake or stream with a path, as such an arrange- 

 ment is too formal to be pleasing. Where rocks have been bared (c, c) or grouped 

 they should be cemented or water may escape. 



What to do with the soil excavated in forming a large pond is often a problem 

 difficult to solve satisfactorily, as only that taken from the surface is fit for planting 

 in, and the rest must not be banked up against trees or it will kill them ; nor 

 disposed where it will be a disfigurement to the locality. If an embankment is necessary, 

 use the portions free from stones or gravel, forming a wide, easy slope, surfacing this 

 over with a foot or more of good soil for planting with trees or shrubs. 



Provision ought always to be made for emptying a pond or lake other than by the 

 ordinary outlet, as this is only intended for the overflow or the escape of surplus water. 

 A sluice gate, made of stout oak boards fitted in a grooved frame, with an apparatus for 

 raising and lowering it at will, can be fixed at some convenient spot for drawing off 

 the water. These sluice gates should have an iron grating or strainer to prevent fish 

 being carried away. 



Islands in the middle of a sheet of water are altogether a mistake, quite disfiguring 

 it. If they must be had, and they are a feature in some cases, a suitable position for 

 them is shown in the design (t/), or they may be at the opposite end. Aquatic 

 plants suitable for these, and various positions, will be duly set forth in the succeeding 

 chapter. 



Cascades and Waterfalls. 



Cascades or waterfalls on a small scale can be formed, as already shown, always 

 provided they are raised 3 to 6 feet or more above the ordinary ground level ; but by 

 far the most beautiful effects are produced when pure glistening water from a spring can 

 have a much greater, yet broken, fall to a depth of 20 feet. If there is not sufficient 

 water to constantly feed the cascade, provision can be made for storing it in a concreted 

 reservoir, the overflow trickling down the rockwork. The reservoir supply to be 

 liberated by means of a valve whenever an immediate grand effect is desired. 



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