* + 
Ornamental Water , Fountains , Zf/A 
309 
In passing on to the formation of the bed and margin, observe that the 
same rule holds good as regards the depth as that mentioned in connection 
with artificial sheets of water. Having removed the soil to the depth of six 
feet (allowing one foot for puddling or concreting), the sides below the water¬ 
line should be sloped in proportion of about one and a quarter to one, so that, 
in the event of the water falling, no stretch of muddy foreshore would be 
discernible. This done, we then come to the knotty question of the most 
suitable way of making a small lake watertight. There are three ways : namely, 
concreting and cementing, which is described above; puddling; and puddle 
gutters (Fig. 2). Just as concreting is more suitable for architectural basins, 
so do we think that either puddling or puddle gutters are the most suitable 
for ponds or lakes treated in the natural style. A few words then about 
the two last. Puddle is formed by cutting and cross-cutting clay, pouring 
water on it, and working it with the feet or in a mortar-mill till it is plastic. 
The method of applying it is as follows: after excavating the ground to the 
required depth, the puddle should be laid on one foot in the middle to 
eighteen inches at the sides. As each layer of puddle is laid on, it should be 
well rammed and trodden till the required amount has been completed, and 
the whole mass is as homogeneous as possible. A puddle gutter can only be 
brought into use where there is a substratum of water holding clay at a 
moderate depth beneath the surface soil. From this substratum then should 
be constructed a wall of puddle 
(Fig. 2, A) to the height of at 
least one foot above the water 
level, being not less than two 
feet to two feet six inches at the 
base, and eighteen inches at the 
top. As the layers of puddle are 
put in the gutter each should be 
well rammed until the formation 
is complete. Before puddling 
the ground, or making use of puddle gutters, if the substratum allows of it, 
thought should be expended and arrangements made for the filling and 
emptying of the pond if necessary. Now in small lakes or ponds, a small 
sluice to the emptying drain will be quite sufficient; this being made of a 
plate of boards running in a grooved frame, and having a handle attached so 
that it can be lifted when required. The frame also should be built into 
