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THE FLOWER GROWER'S GUIDE. 



Cascades to be broken up should, in every case, have a solid, water-holding 

 foundation. First form the outline, or a series of steps made as firm as possible, casing 

 this over with concrete ; which, however, ought not to show after the work is completed, 

 but all should be hidden by stones in a variety of sizes, set horizontally in cement, in 

 rough imitation of stratified rocks, finishing above the point where the water commences 

 to flow. Pockets or deep crevices not watertight should be formed for holding soil in 

 which to plant a variety of ferns and rock plants of a moisture-loving nature. Without 

 this judicious arrangement of plants, the general efi'ect would be far from satisfactory. 



Fountains. 



Tliis is not an age of bricks and mortar, so far as gardens are concerned, it is the 

 clear expanse of lawns and more natural surroundings that are most preferred. Fountains, 

 however, are still to be met with — more especially in town and suburban gardens — 

 where the one thing needful, a good supply of water at a considerable height above the 

 ground, is well within the reach of all who have the water laid on. With a galvanised 

 iron tank at the top of the house, fed by means of a pipe and ball-cock, and another 

 service of pipe connecting it with the fountain, a good force of water can be brought 

 into play. Whether a few or many jets be used must depend upon the taste of those 

 having the fountain constructed, and it is a good plan to have a rough trial before com- 

 pleting the work. 



Those very grand fountains at the Crystal Palace, Chatsworth, Witley Court, and 

 elsewhere, are fed by large reservoirs at a much greater altitude than where the 

 display is made. Water merely spurting out of jets, owing to insufficiency of 

 pressure, is far from attractive, and it is better to dispense with fountains altogether 

 than have such puerile attempts. A basin usually surrounds fountains for holding 

 some of the water that falls. Seeing that aquatic plants are grown and fish usually 

 kept in the basins, the water cannot all be drawn ofi' in the winter, and the masonry 

 must, therefore, be made frost proof. Instead of cementing the brickwork, this not 

 resisting the action of frost, line it with concrete, a foot thick at the bottom, tapering 

 to a thin portion where the kerb is reached, this allowing room for expansion when 

 ice is formed. The position of the pipes conveying the water to the fountain and the 

 overflow from the basin must be decided upon and the pipes fixed before the concreting 

 is completed. 



