Water Gardening Made Easy 
There are so many possibilities that the choice is un¬ 
limited. A hole in the ground, low spot or depression 
in the yard or grounds about the house; a gentle slope or 
terrace may be the foundation of a beautiful grotto or 
you may construct a formal pool of cement or metal 
very inexpensively. 
One of the favorite methods is to make a bowl-like 
depression, as illustrated, of whatever surface dimen¬ 
sions you like, just so it is about two feet deep. Slope 
the sides at an angle of 45 degrees. If it holds water, 
the job is complete and the pleasure begins. If the pool 
leaks, you may remedy that, by puddling the sides with 
clay. 
No. 2 illustrates another favor¬ 
ite and inexpensive method. That 
is to dig a trench as a form for 
the walls of the pool and to fill this 
with a mixture of one part cement, 
two parts sharp sand and three 
parts gravel or crushed stone. 
After the sides have set, the center 
may be removed and the bottom 
poured, using the same mixture. 
A neater effect may be obtained by excavating the 
whole thing, then building a form inside, leaving about 
6" to 8" for walls and bottom. 
The edge of the pool may be finished in any manner 
your ideas of originality may dictate. Brick or any 
kind of rocks or stone—whatever design you may fancy. 
Inlet and outlet may easily be installed if desired, 
although not necessary as running water is not needed 
nor desirable. Whatever water evaporates may be re¬ 
placed by the garden hose and the pool easily drained 
by siphoning. 
A ledge or shelf around the edge of the pool is also 
a desirable feature for shallow water plants, although 
not necessary. Boxes or tubs may be used. The shelf 
needs to be only a few inches below the water surface 
with something to hold the soil in place to keep it from 
washing away. 
These are just a few of the infinite number of possi¬ 
bilities for making inexpensive Pools and Water 
Gardens. 
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