278 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, 
WATER-GARDENING. 
By R. W. Wallace, F.R.H.S. 
[Read August 14, 191 7 ; Mr, J. Cheal, V.M.H., in the Chair.] 
Some of the most pleasing and delightful effects in the garden are 
associated with water in one form or another, and the great increase of 
late years in the love of gardening and all it entails has naturally 
meant the greater development of the water-side and water-surface 
wherever they are to be found. I do not propose to discuss the beauty 
of water in association with landscape, but rather the manner in 
which its beauty may be developed, if the surroundings are treated 
in the right spirit, so that the water and the surrounding vegetation 
are combined, the one helping the other to form a pleasing picture. 
Generally speaking, the water in the garden may be classified as 
follows : 
1 . Where water is strictly formal, as when it is contained in a Lily 
pond or basin, of geometrical design, with fountain &c. As a rule, such 
effects are used as a central feature to some planting design. 
2. An artificial pond of irregular outline, where, to obtain a natural 
effect, it has been necessary to concrete the bottom on account of the 
soil and situation. 
3. An artificial lake made by damming up a water-course, or other 
means. 
4. A natural pond or lake. 
5. A river, stream, or brook passing through the landscape or 
woodland to be developed. 
There are of course certain other aspects of the subject, such as the 
use of water in the Rock Garden, but I do not propose to deal with 
these to-day. 
In introducing the question of formal water-gardens, and in fact 
artificial water-gardens generally, I fully recognize that I am treading 
on dangerous ground. May I preface my remarks on this division 
of the subject by quoting Mr. Wm. Robinson ? — " So far as our island 
countries go, nothing asks for more care and modest art than the 
introduction into the garden, or home landscape, of artificial water." 
It is a question whether much of the labour, time, and money spent 
upon the construction of artificial water-basins would not be better 
utilized in the development of what natural beauties the garden may 
afford. They are not cheap introductions, and unless the setting is 
good, and the circumstances favourable, they can be, and often are, 
dismal failures. 
The most absolute failure of all is the so-called Lily pond or pool 
