12 
HOUSE & GARDEN 
tween hills, a more pretentious water fea¬ 
ture properly forms the principal part of the 
composition. 
Locating Water Features 
Water features should never be used on 
a hilltop. Water collects naturally by gravi¬ 
tating to the lowest part of a landscape, 
and there only can it be successfully used 
when in repose;. Water may, of course, 
come from the higher elevation; it may 
break down through a ravine over rocks 
and mossy cliffs, but its final termination 
is in a depression or valley. Nature’s rule 
can never be transgressed without marring 
the charm of any water effects created in a 
naturalistic garden. 
The shape of the pond should conform 
largely to the contour of the surrounding 
surfaces. Follow in imagination the course 
of a natural stream as it hurries along 
through a rocky district, and carefully ob¬ 
serve its ways. Running water follows the 
line of least resistance. As a natural con¬ 
sequence if a stream comes in contact with 
a projecting rock or other impediment, its 
current will be deflected to the opposite bank. 
If that bank be of material softer than the 
opposite rock, the washing out of the soil 
will gradually form a hollow place or cove. 
This effect will not be apparent when the 
material of both banks is equally hard; for, 
instead of the formation of a cove, the 
action of the water will result in the cutting 
of a gorge, with deep, precipitous rock walls. 
In hillside gardens, where the use of 
rocks seems best adapted to our purpose, 
we should, then, keep this condition in 
mind; and, if we make ponds of square, rec¬ 
tangular or circular form amid such a set¬ 
ting, we blunder. Let us, instead, contruct 
the convex portions of the shore line with 
bolder masses of rock than the concave 
side. There the rocks should be used spar¬ 
ingly, if not altogether superseded by green¬ 
sward running down to the very edge of 
the water. This can be best effected, in 
the case of an artificial pond, by carrying 
the sustaining walls well in under the bank 
and allowing the turf to overlap. 
We are fortunate indeed if we possess 
the constant supply of a natural stream, as 
with it we can add features such as water¬ 
falls and cascades, to give actual life and 
the music of running water to the scene. 
If it be necessary to construct an artificial 
fall, it is advisable to build a pit one or two 
feet deep, made perfectly watertight to 
form a basin. Let the water issue from 
this. If stones and plants are properly ar¬ 
ranged, the effect will be that of a natural 
spring among rocks. A more precipitous 
descent can be achieved lower down—for, 
whenever we see a natural waterfall, we 
invariably discern either close by or at a 
slight distance the still higher ground from 
which the water has sprung. It is for this 
reason that, whenever the topography will 
permit, the flowing water should be visible 
before it forms the desired drop. In any 
event, it should never be carried to the 
highest pinnacle of rocks; there should be 
higher ground above the point of issue. 
If the supply of water be limited, a cave 
formed under the falls will provide a de¬ 
sirable dark background, against which the 
narrowest sheet of water can be seen dis¬ 
tinctly. When the supply is abundant, it 
is of course unnecessary to accentuate every 
drop of falling water, and so the dark cave 
can be dispensed with. Rather let the brook 
descend over a series of rough, irregular 
steps resembling Nature’s arrangement of 
rocks, and constructed in such a way as to 
conform to the strata of adjoining areas. 
For a Pond and a Small Brook 
If the pond be of broad extent—and this 
feature will apply more to the natural pond 
than to the artificial one—an island can be 
made a point of great interest. Islands 
caused by landslides or by the falling of 
crumbling rocks are generally found near 
the shore, but there are also islands of allu¬ 
vial formation, produced by erosion. 
Natural islands in running water are 
One of the rules in handling the watercourse is that the water he 
visible on its way to the pool. Grades in the brook bed will also add 
the attraction of waterfalls. J. Fletcher Street, landscape architect 
Where space permits, the arched rustic bridge is always an 
attractive feature. This is in the garden of P. Saklatvala, 
Esq., at Plainfield, N. J. T. Shiota, landscape architect 
A tea house on the edge of a pool in the same garden. Nip¬ 
ponese gardening is applied not only to the ground and 
the vegetation, but also to the water and its accessories 
