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| Pools, Cascades and Fountains |
These pools can be prefabricated, placed in position, and the
gardens then built around them. Alternatively they can be
actually built into the garden during construction.
In the case of informal or natural pools, the edges are embedded
well down, probably with a few suitable edge stones cemented in
it at irregular intervals. Plants are encouraged to grow over and
naturalize the rim.
FOUNTAINS
The problem with fountains (and also, incidentally, with cascades, etc.) is to obtain a continuous and economical flow of
water. The principle of a simple fountain is shown in Fig. 21.
A supply tank full of water is placed at the highest level. When
tap A is turned on, water runs down the feed pipe, thus creating
its own pressure, which is increased because it can only escape at
a slower rate through the narrow jet at B. An overflow pipe then
carries the water to the overflow tank. Such a method is not
really practical for the small garden.
It needs a very small water pump to provide a continuous flow
in the manner shown in Fig. 22 (for a fountain) and in Fig. 23
(for cascade types). As you see, this makes a self-contained unit.
Unfortunately, pumps are rather expensive, and this is where
mechanical ingenuity can be helpful. Fortunately for the mini gardener, the power needed for a small garden is very, very small,
and sometimes a simple siphon arrangement can be persuaded -even if erratically- to work.
A fountain is constructed by making the pool as already
described but placing cement round wooden plugs which are subsequently knocked out to take the feed and return pipes. The
latter must, of course, be cemented in a watertight joint (Fig. 22).
CASCADES AND WATERFALLS
Entrancing cascades and waterfalls in a wide diversity of styles
can be constructed on the lines shown in Fig. 23, ranging from
Niagara, Swallow Falls (Bettws-y-coed), or a cascading rill from
a hidden grotto. The fall can be the main feature breasting the
width and pouring briskly over it or it can gently ripple down in
a narrow width as for a Scotch burn or cascade in a typical
Japanese style garden. Construction can be stepped flatly and
steeply, or be cupped in little pools as in Fig. 23. The source of
supply and method of operation should not be visible in the
Finished model. The watercourse itself must, of course, be waterproof, and can be fashioned out in a similar way as for the
pools.
Fig. 24 shows how such a garden might be constructed to fit
into a particular recess. For gardens where a "bird's-eye" view
is obtainable, the cascade would be built into a "hill" to give a
completely natural effect.
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