18 
LAKEVIEW PONDS, CINCINNATI, OHIO 
By Following These Suggestions You Will 
Have a Pool to be Proud of! 
B efore building a pool, certain questions in your mind 
should be answered. You will want to decide WHAT 
KIND OF POOL you would like, what SIZE it shall 
be, and WHERE to put it. May we suggest if you have not 
decided what kind of pool to build, that you will be aided 
by a careful study of the various pictures in this Catalog. 
There are, in general, two kinds of pools. The Formal, which in¬ 
cludes all the geometrical shapes such as round, square, rectangular, 
etc., and the Informal or irregularly shaped pools, which lend them¬ 
selves very well to a naturalistic background, or a rock garden effect. 
Both types are equally popular and offer equal possibilities for deco¬ 
rative effect. 
As for size, the space available, the amount of investment, the num¬ 
ber of lilies wanted, etc., should be considered. In general, a water 
surface of 10x7 feet (70 square feet) would be considered a good 
medium sized pool. This would easily accommodate a collection of 6 
to 8 water lilies, some lotus, bog plants, floating plants, and a nice 
assortment of fish. Also it would not be very e.xpensive to build, especi¬ 
ally if the work is done by the owner as a spare-time occupation. 
In discussing the location, consider the availability of sunlight, as 
water lilies must have quite a bit of sun to bloom profusely. However, 
the shadow from a nearby tree or building, which may fall over the 
pool on hot summer afternoons, will not be unwelcome; especially to 
the fish, as this may keep the pool from becoming too hot for the com¬ 
fort of Goldfish in July and August. However, we would rather have 
more sunlight than not enough. 
INFORMAL POOLS 
An attractive informal pool of any size may be built without forms 
by simply hollowing out the chosen space to the desired shape. When 
the ground is prepared, the sides trimmed to a slope of approximately 
35 to 45 degrees, and the filled-in spots rammed hard, you are ready 
for the reinforcing wire. For this purpose the yii-inch deformed steel 
rods laid in 12-inch squares will be best for large pools, but farm 
fencing of No. 9 to No. 12 gauge wire, in mesh not over 6 inches each 
way, will be easier to lay and prove very satisfactory. Reinforcing is 
necessary in concrete pools and your work may be for nothing if it is 
omitted, as the bottom or sides may then leak hopelessly through cracks. 
Even steel or wire may not be an absolute preventive of cracks, but 
should a crack develop in a reinforced surface, the pieces will hold 
tightly together and the crack may be made watertight by cleaning the 
surface, drying thoroughly and pouring in melted roofing tar. Another 
good method is to chip away a little concrete on both sides of crack, 
dampen with water, then tamp in a nearly dry mixture of 1 part 
cement to 2 parts fine sand. This can then be painted over with a 
cement and water paste, and the pool will be as good as ever. When 
wire fencing is used, allow it to overlap 6 inches at the joints, and 
when pouring, raise or move it so it will be in the middle of the con¬ 
crete surface. We recommend 4 to 6 inches of concrete for informal 
pools, believing that the extra thickness may save you a great deal of 
trouble in the long run. An overflow and drain like the one shown on 
Page 5 should be provided—however, this can be omitted if the water 
is to be syphoned off. Rock decorations will add to the natural 
appearance. 
If Goldfish are to be wintered in an informal pool, it must have an 
area of at least 4 feet diameter, having a depth of at least 30 inches 
from top of pool, so as to allow 24 inches of water during the winter. 
This sectional drawing shows the construction of a small formal 
pool of 7x5 feet surface with side walls 8 inches thick. A better 
size is 7 X 10 feet inside water surface. (See text below.) 
FORMAL POOLS 
Of all the formal types of pools, the rectangular shape, about 
7x10 feet or 8x12 feet is the most popular, and very easy to 
make. In firm ground it is sometimes possible to dig a narrow 
trench (6 to 8 inches wide) to the required depth and to pour the 
walls without forms or with low forms for the top part, if walls 
are to extend above the ground level. When this method is fol¬ 
lowed, the reinforcing wire mesh (Farm Fencing is very good) is 
now put into the trench and concrete poured. Then after two days 
the center can be dug out and the bottom poured, being careful 
to get a good joint later when applying the smooth coat with brush 
and trowel. 
placing^ the forms—I f forms are to be used (see above), 
usually the inner forms only are needed, and the whole pool can be 
dug out at one time. Be careful not to cave in the sides while 
placing forms, and place forms to set up six inches to allow room 
for the bottom, so that when the bottom is poured it will knit well 
with the side walls. For the same reason, try to pour the whole pool 
in one operation. Reinforcing wire must be used to get a strong 
leak-proof pool. Farm fencing of No. 9 to No. 12 gauge wire with 
mesh 3 to 6 inches apart will be very satisfactory and should be 
kept near the center of the walls and bottom, i.e., in the center of 
the concrete when poured. We recommend 6 inches of concrete 
for sides and bottom of this type pool. 
The slope shown on cut on the following page is desirable, but 
not necessary. (See winter care of pools. Page 19.) A drain should 
be provided before the concrete is poured; however, this can be 
omitted if you care to save the expense (a few dollars) and wish 
to syphon with a hose when draining the pool. Nevertheless, a 
drain is a big convenience, even if the pipe is laid only a few feet 
beyond the pool, as the water will seep out when drain pipe is 
opened. (And perhaps later on you will want to continue the drain 
to lower ground.) 
CAUTION —A new pool must be filled with water and allowed 
to stand for a few days, then rinse out thoroughly and drain. Refill 
immediately and allow the water to stand another week, then drain 
again. This will remove the alkali in new cement, which would be 
very injurious to fish or plants. Repeat this draining a third time 
m another week, as it will then be in still better shape for the fish. 
No salt or other chemical is needed to condition a pool, but keep 
It filled to the brim while curing it. 
This photograph shows a well-made informal pool just ready for 
planting. Notice the submerged lily boxes and the two long boxes 
for planting shallow water plants. (See also next page.) 
POOL PAINT. ETC. 
LAKEVIEW POOL PAINT is a special non-poisonous under¬ 
water concrete enamel for pools. It is sky blue in color 
and will add to the appearance of a pool, stop porosity of 
cement and seal minor cracks. Apply with a brush, giving 
the pool two coats, allowing 24 hours between coats. Covers 
450 square feet per gallon one coat. Directions on can. 
Recommended also for swimming pools. Directions on 
rec|uesl. 
Per quart . $1.25 Per half-gallon . $2.35 
Per gallon . $4.50 
Lakeview Pool Caulking Compound is light in color and 
will permanently seal minor cracks in pools. Retains its 
elasticity indefinitely. Clean out cracks well and apply with 
knife or spoon when pool is dry. 
Per 1-lb. can-35c each Per 2-lb. can_65c each 
