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| Pools, Cascades and Fountains |
A framework of stout wood is made to the size desired on the
lines of Fig. 24. Over the top of this a piece of pliable wire netting
-the smallest mesh obtainable- is stapled, not tightly, but in an
undulating manner typical of rough hill country. Mix cement as
described in Chapter III, using a little fine clean gravel for
aggregate. With a kind of dabbing-throwing movement of the
crowel, cast this concrete on to the netting to a thickness of about
1/4 inch. Leave a rough surface and, when the first coat has set,
apply a second coating of concrete. Before this has set drop on
pieces of clinker, or small stones to represent rocks, etc. Build
concrete banks for the actual water-course you have planned.
Where concrete is attached to any part of the woodwork it is
as well to tap a few pin-nails or tacks half-way in to serve as a
key for the concrete. The front rectangular box shape in Fig. 24
would be modelled over in cement to make a pool.
The outside walls and edges of wood could also be covered with
an irregular surfaced, dull cement to give an impression of a
rock face.
AQUARIA
Aquaria -a subject to itself- can also be adapted to fit into
minigarden settings. In Fig. 24, for example, consider that the
front box shape was an aquarium into which the cascading water
would fall, and around which would be built the naturalistic
terraced hillside.
The cascade garden could, indeed, be developed in association
with aquaria, cascades could fall over glass screens behind which
could lie marine grottoes illuminated by concealed lighting in
suitable colours. Ambitious certainly, but what an entrancing
dreamland is possible to delight the beholder and be full worthy
of the finest palace, foyers or lounges in the world!
BOG GARDENS
A miniature bog or swamp garden can be made in a bowl or
dish by preparing a foundation of sphagnum moss mixed with
crushed charcoal and perhaps a small quantity of peat. This is
then saturated with water to make a boggy, swampy compost in
which suitable plants will readily grow.
A bog garden can be introduced into the trough or sink garden
as a feature of the design. The foundation is prepared in the same
way as for a pool, and then filled with the special compost
described above.
If the trough garden includes a cascade or miniature lake, the
bog garden can be planned as a natural feature situated at the
most low-lying position in the garden, and be fed with an overflow from the lake.
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