There is nothing in the whole range of materials made use of in Landscape Adornment that is so effective, attractive, and beautiful as water, and wherever it can be had at a reasonable expenditure, it may be considered as adding to the value of property beyond most other recommendations.

Water, in the natural form of Lakes, is not so frequently met with as to afford all an opportunity to enjoy or display it; and if desired, it becomes necessary to imitate nature in this respect, wherever she has given us the hint to do so. In the natural style of Landscape Gardening, artificial water, either in lakes, ponds, or streams, requires a treatment entirely different from that prevailing in the old school; regular forms must be entirely disregarded, and we must pursue our studies among the picturesque forms of nature. There is that which requires an intimate knowledge of natural forms, as well as natural effects - a pretentious imitation being worse than that which plainly shows, both in design and construction, there is nothing natural about it. If we take as models of study the most graceful or the most beautiful natural examples of lakes, and attempt their reproduction, we would be early convinced that any exposure of the manner by which we arrive at results would be fatal to success: the art by which we attain our wish must be concealed, the well-finished masonry being no compensation for a pebbly beach.

Perhaps the most difficult part to be attained in the formation of water in the natural style, is the shape or figure. • The contour or boundary lines must be such as will show no repetition, and must also create the impression that they have been produced by the wash and wear of time. There is also another impression to be created, and for which we can call to our aid a numerous variety of natural examples. This last is extent - the ability to make the most of what can be had - to double the apparent size. It is a well-known fact, that we cease to take an interest in anything that the eye commands at one view, and which, if viewed from different points, presents no change or variety. There should be a temptation to investigate, and in all changes a new vista be opened, or a new picture presented. We should therefore so contrive the form of water,that in no one or even two positions that could be taken, should its entire outline be seen; and this can readily be done by irregular shapes of water, and which are made irregular by the very objects that we introduce to intercept the sight. If a point be high, that will answer our purpose; if low, we must plant.

The introduction of an island is sometimes of value, not only as a pretty feature, but as the means of concealing views beyond, which are more beautiful seen from another stand-point; whatever is defective must be covered up, and all that is beautiful be plainly shown.

Being familiar with all natural shore-lines, and the action of water upon them, the first step towards their reproduction is to ascertain what forms are most applicable and the least expensive. We must therefore know the natural shore-line that would be indicated, by flooding the site of the proposed pond with water, if the pond be raised. This can be ascertained with the utmost accuracy by a topographical survey; that is, the level of the proposed surface of water being given, the outline of the shore can be indicated by a leveling instrument, and all the points and indentations marked out: when this is done, the shore-line thus found is to be meandered either by a compass, or transit, or by measuring offsets from a baseline, or from parallel lines. The plan of the pond, as it will naturally form, is then to be plotted, and we have an exact representation of its shape on paper. This being done to a scale, enables us so to vary the outline as will introduce the most pleasing variety, and the changes thus made on paper can be measured off by the same process on the ground.

It is sometimes advisable to make two or three such examinations - say one at one foot below, and another one foot above what appeal's to be the best level for the surface of the water, as it is a very common occurrence to find suggestions of beauty in a survey thus plotted, which, on the ground, the eye has condemned. Having the outline of the proposed pond transferred to paper, with two or three different outlines that may be suggestive of other good forms, it enables us to study out, on our library table, the merits and demerits of the case. It is also desirable that surrounding objects, such as rising ground, trees, etc., be placed upon the plan. Then, from different points of sight, lines should be drawn, diverging from the eye, and embracing all that is desirable to be shown. By this process can be indicated the position of intervening objects, and it will show, when the work is done, the limits of aview from any point. In addition to a plan, several profiles of the bottom should be taken with a leveling instrument - one or two lengthwise, and perhaps three or four across; these will show exactly the depth of water at all the principal points, and from them can be estimated what amount of excavation shall be required to make the pond deeper, if greater depth be necessary.

It must be evident, that a survey of this kind will show the outline of the pond when flooded, and the profile, the soundings or depth of the water at the required points, and all this can be ascertained with reliable accuracy, without meddling with the water. It may prove when a meander is plotted that no alteration is necessary, or it may show that very great changes can be made by a very little work. It will always show how the most beautiful effects can be produced, and the best and most economical manner of producing them. Where a pond is created by excavating the earth, instead of flooding it, a somewhat different process must be employed; the meander then to be made would inclose that surface which would be the most economical to remove, embracing, perhaps, the low, wet ground that winds around or is hemmed in by the hard land. From this plan could be studied all changes necessary to give a handsomely indented shore, or a pleasing variety of views.

As the natural style of Ornamental Water does not contemplate the use of masonry, either laid in cement or laid dry, except where it is all concealed, it must consequently be considered as out of keeping if exposed. Masonry is necessary in constructing durable dams, and we may as well state that where used for this purpose the. arch should be sprung against the water, or curved up stream in such a manner that the water presses against the back of it; if curved the other way, as is sometimes done in making oval ponds, there is nothing except the mere strength of the wall to resist the pressure, and it is likely to be carried away in a flood. This wall, by which the water is retained in the pond, may be entirely concealed by an embankment of earth, which may be made wide, and planted in such a manner as to destroy all artificial appearance. Flooded ponds, as a general thing, hold the water, and there is no leakage through the bottom. Those that are excavated may expose a bed of gravel, and the water percolate and pass off; to remedy this, and all other cases where the ground will not hold a body of water, the bottom should be thoroughly puddled, that is, lined with well-kneaded clay, or clay and sand worked together until they are impervious to water; this should be well rammed, and of a depth of not less than six inches, and on very bad bottom should be more.

Strong loam, or any tenacious earth, well prepared by puddling, or beating in water, is said by Mr. Downing to be as impervious to water as clay, and may therefore be used for lining the sides or dams of bodies of made water, when such materials are required. The edges or shores of a pond thus treated are more beautiful, and practically as durable as masonry. They should gradually grow deeper from the shore-line; if abrupt, the frost will crumble them down, and children and cattle are more likely to tumble in. The beach may be graveled, or, if preferable, the lawn may run to and underneath the water.

In formal ponds, whose outlines are regular, and require to be carefully kept so, it is necessary to have a wall around them; they are more beautiful, however, if the coping be left off, and the sod carried over to the face of the wall. Unless these walls be strongly built, the frost is very apt to heave them; they are like retaining-walls, or terrace-walls, having the earth on one side up even with the top, and should be carefully avoided in all that appertains to the natural style of Landscape Adornment.