WATER-GARDENING. 
28l 
seems to give us pause. But this garden is much more than an inter- 
lude, and I will try to describe it. Down three or four shallow steps 
and we are standing at the edge of a simply-formed Lily pool. There 
is nothing extravagant or ornate in its construction. The most simple 
of stone copings surrounds it. From this a wide channel some 100 feet 
long and 8 or 10 feet wide stretches away towards the woodland 
beyond. Upon the surface of the water are floating Water Lilies, Water 
Hawthorn, and a few other aquatic plants. On either side are borders 
of flowers, grasses, such as the Eulalias, the smaller-growing Bamboos, 
and the foliage of the Siberian Irises, giving a light and graceful touch. 
Here and there the plants in the borders have been allowed to escape 
and tumble in flowery profusion right down to the water's edge. 
Every point of view produces a new reflection. Some clear and sharp, 
some shadowy and indefinite, but all exquisitely beautiful. The 
whole garden, from the Water Lilies on the surface to the last flower in 
the' borders, is in soft and beautiful tones — lilac, lavender, grey, pink, 
heliotrope and creamy yellow. Outside the borders on either side 
of the garden are paths formed of old and moss-grown bricks, and the 
surrounding level is retained by a low wall-garden full of Alpine 
flowers, and presenting a thousand and one miniature effects, over 
which one lingers with admiration. There is no sense in this garden 
as of the whole arrangement having been made for water effect, but 
it has to be recognized that without the water the garden would lose 
its attraction. That is the real place of artificial water in the garden 
scheme, one in which it is not obviously the main motif, but where, in 
its happiness of association, it is not obtrusively a water-garden. 
Another point is to be emphasized. Never create large and expen- 
sive architectural embellishments out of all proportion to the area 
of water available. There are many such that are called pool-gardens, 
that would be better named stone monuments to inefficient gardeners 
or over-zealous builders. The keynote of successful water-gardening 
is its simplicity. In a formal design you must be formal in your 
water scheme : but this does not mean that you must be intricate. 
If you want a builder's exhibition in the garden, have it by all means, 
but do not make water-gardening an excuse for it. Ornament is 
justifiable if used in moderation and with restraint. Excess of it 
will ruin any water-garden effect. 
I cannot linger longer on this division of my subject, though I 
should like to. I should like to scan the merits of the simple circular 
pools that form a centre for a Rose-garden design. In this the minimum 
of masonry is the most effective. I think a simple stone edge, moss- 
grown and grey, is the best, and just three or four of the best Water 
Lilies bejewelling the surface. Such pools can be very attractive, but 
we must now turn to the second section of the subject. 
An artificial cemented pond or lake of irregular design is not 
always a pleasing feature, because of the hard outline which is very 
difficult to hide in a satisfactory manner ; again, because of the diffi- 
