308 
Rustic Adornments. 
oblong pools or ponds, next demands our attention. In the natural style the 
primary object is to imitate on a small scale real lakes, rivers, etc., and their 
accompaniments: so in choosing the position in gardens or grounds, we must 
take nature as far as possible as a guide. There are on the natural surface of 
the ground but three situations in which water can exist, and expand itself into 
a large compass, and these are, a vale, a plan, and a hollow. Now, one 
of these three situations would, as a rule, be found in the lowest portions of 
the garden or grounds. Here then you should, if possible, fix on the position 
for a small lake or pool, bearing in mind the two following general rules : 
First, that, just as formal sheets of water should, as a rule, be in near 
proximity to the house or some subordinate building, so should sheets of 
water treated naturally or gardenesquely be far removed from the same ; 
Secondly, that where water is found already existing in a spot, generally 
implies suitableness of soil for retaining it, and consequently a fitting position 
for the formation of a pond or lake. 
Before passing on to the formation of a small lake or pond, we desire to 
point out that a vast amount of labour is wasted in the excavation of a lake, 
however small it may be, unless the practical work is well directed and care¬ 
fully planned. In carrying out the work we have two important points to 
consider, namely, the removal and disposal of the earth, and then the forma¬ 
tion of the bed and margin. With regard to the first, care and thought 
should be expended as to the amount of earth that has to be removed and 
where it is going to, so as to necessitate as little as possible the removal of the 
same soil a second time to any great distance. The following hints may be of 
practical service with reference to the above subject. Firstly—That the best 
soil should be preserved and set aside for forming what is to be the future 
surface of the ground. Secondly—That the poorest soil should as much as 
possible be kept from contact with the roots of trees. Thirdly—That 
gravelly soil should not be placed anywhere near the lake or pond, so as to 
avoid all chance of percolation of the water. Fourthly—That the utmost care 
should betaken that no unseemly excrescences or lumps be eventually formed 
on the surface of the ground from heaps of excavated earth badly disposed 
of, but that the outlines of the new surface should artistically, gracefully, and 
almost imperceptibly blend with those already existing. So much for the 
disposal of the soil. With regard to the removal of it, care should be taken 
that the ground is staked out, and level pegs put down so as to ascertain the 
amount of earth to be removed before commencing digging. 
