The Garden Magazine, August, 1921 
355 
lands as if it were of formal 
character. The same would 
be true of a rocky pool in a 
smooth lawn, but more ob- 
viously so. Either of these 
would demand such design- 
ing of their surroundings as 
I would make them appear 
either a part of the natural 
scenery or as a distinct unit, 
deliberately separated from 
its environs, where one was 
transported to a different 
world. 
The picturesque quality 
i of pools or ponds with grassy 
banks lies in long stretches 
of water, the pleasant mo- 
notony of level country, and 
an expanse of marshy vege- 
tation. The marginal plant 
life in such cases demands 
space, for the growth of 
Rushes and Sedges cannot 
be restrained without taking 
on an artificial appearance. 
Reduce such a pond to min- 
iature, with diminished 
spread of water and plants 
usurping the remaining 
available surface, and it 
immediately loses character 
and charm. 
Robert Wheelwright, Landscape Architect 
SYLVIA'S POOL 
MINIATURE CASCADE 
An ingenious device for 
supplying water in what ap- 
pears to be a natural man- 
ner. Pool at Newport, R. I. 
So quiet is the source of this pool — an artificial 
one piped in between flat stones — that though 
close to the feet of this peering, lightly poised 
maiden it scarcely disturbs her image. In Syl-. 
via is epitomized thewoodland’s happiest mood; 
Mahonri Young, sculptor. Estate of Mr. Wm. 
J. Curtis, Camden, Maine. 
an opportunity to introduce many uncommon plants that 
would be suffocated by the rank growth of a grassy bank. 
Then, too, the rocks have a more highly picturesque value than 
grasses, unless, perhaps, the water is of considerable extent. 
For these reasons the small naturalesque pool is limited prac-. 
tically to designs with rock-work as their basis. 
Henry V. Hubbard , Landscape Architect 
The rocky pool, on the other hand, permits of no such rank 
growth along its margins; the grassy plants finding no deep 
muck in which to thrive, the pool does not become choked 
with vegetation, and so may be reduced to the tiniest dimen- 
sions and still retain an unbroken surface of water. The rocky 
shore with its small pockets of earth gives protection to all sorts 
of interesting plants. There is intimacy in such planting, and 
T HE Japanese have achieved fame for their informal pools; 
these are typical features of their gardens as we know 
them from photographs. It would seem that these pools 
are designed with a remarkable appreciation for the picturesque, 
both in geological formation and plant growth. These gardens 
with their pools may or may not be true representations of 
natural conditions, but they produce the same impression that a 
picturesque scene in nature does. Analysis shows a state of 
cultivation that is as artificial as in the most formal garden, 
but the lines follow the laws of nature and every natural object 
is selected and placed in such a manner as to disguise artificiality. 
The only comparison to be drawn of different objects lies within 
the garden itself, and as everything is artificial in the same de- 
gree, the artificiality is not apparent, and we imagine we are 
looking at a bit of Japanese scenery. 
We are forced to admire the skill with which the Japanese 
secure picturesque effects and the method they use, particularly 
their naturalistic rockwork and their handling of plants. A 
study of some of these gardens should serve as a good lesson to 
us, but attempts to copy should be discouraged. I believe that 
there is not one instance in a thousand where the best con- 
ceived and executed garden of this type would be appropriate 
in our country or compare in charm and beauty with an equally 
