Water Gardens 
WELL TREATED MARGINS 
Gardens of San Te/rno, Seville 
not familiar with water plants, nor are they 
even informed upon them. 
As to the location of the pond, naturally 
we look to the lowest ground. There are 
exceptions to every rule, and there is to this 
one, for ponds may be constructed almost 
anywhere where there is a small stream. 
The stream should be made to feed the 
pond, but not to flow through it, and good 
judgment must be used in constructing such 
a pond in order that the stream should not in 
rainy seasons turn into a freshet and sweep 
through the pond, clearing everything in its 
course, water-lilies and all. But 
for an artificial pond, a spot 
should be selected which is 
convenient of access, bearing 
in mind that water-lilies are 
morning flowers, and to enjoy 
their natural loveliness, they 
must be seen early in the day, 
even while the dew is yet 
upon the grass. The night¬ 
flowering lilies can be seen by 
artificial light, but they, too, 
appear to advantage early in 
the day. They usually close 
long before the day is spent, 
the hour varying according to 
the condition of the weather. 
If the sun is bright and the 
temperature high, they close 
early, and late, if it be cloudy 
and cool. There is no reason 
why the pond should not be 
constructed within twenty-five 
feet of the dwelling house so 
that the water plants may be 
seen and enjoyed at short 
range, even from the piazza 
or from the windows, without 
having to venture out of 
doors. There should be 
wind breaks of trees or shrub¬ 
bery on those sides the most 
open to attack by chilling 
blasts, but the pond should 
have full exposure to the sun, 
especially during the morning. 
All water-lilies are sun-loving 
plants, and they do not suc¬ 
ceed in shady ponds; the 
plants may grow there but 
will produce few if any flowers. 
It will be necessary to remove the soil to 
obtain the necessary depth for the pond. 
This should not be less than two feet and 
may be made as deep as three feet, but for 
most purposes the former is sufficient, 
although, if it is intended to grow the 
Victoria in such a pond, it will be necessary 
to have an additional depth of nine to 
twelve inches just where the plants are to be 
located. (See diagram). Provision should 
be made for an overflow and outlet so ar¬ 
ranged as to have water in the pond of any 
POORLY TREATED MARGINS 
The Carolasee , Dresden 
290 
