98 Ornamental Fountains. 
Since the introduction of the Croton water, into the city of New 
York, much attention has been paid in the construction of foun- 
tains, and no one can dispute that a handsome fountain is a most 
pleasing ornament wherever it is placed; and on that account we 
should be glad to see fountains become more common then they now 
are. Who does riot admire the copious flow of water which is 
poured forth from the huge pile of rocks in the Bowling Green; 
and those silver fountains that throw high in the air their glitter- 
ing showers within the Park? These fountains are beautiful; 
we may say splendid, and constitute important additions of or- 
naments to the city. 
Running water in the form of jets or cascades, or in motion 
any way, gives animation to the scenery, renders the air pleasant 
in warm weather, gives life to vegetation in its vicinity, and 
pleasure to all within the sphere of its attraction. 
In Asia, in Italy, Spain, and France, we are told, fountains are 
in great abundance in every city, and as ornaments they are often 
of great interest and beaity. 
In warm climates fountains are indispensable, on account of the 
actual coolness they diffuse around, and still more from the re- 
freshing sense of coolness which the sight of runnin^ ' water always 
communicates. 
Those who have a supply of water, and a good supply of 
water is very important to health and comfort, must be wanting 
in energy, taste or information, or they would have fountains, 
when they could erect one at a very trifling expense, and the 
whole outlay besides their own time, will be for the lead pipe. 
We will now give a cheap plan for a fountain; choose a lo- 
cation either in the garden or in the yard in front of your house; 
drive a stake for the centre, and with a line and stick sweep a 
circle of the size you wish the basin — take out the ground from 
the centre outward, forming a basin ten or twelve inches deep. 
The earth taken out should be removed, as a raised bank around 
a fountain does not improve it. By cutting the circle through 
the turf you will have a handsome grass edge around the basin. 
The bottom and sides may be lined with a coat of water cement 
