The rims were hidden by an edging of flat stones resting on a collar of cement. This was found necessary in order to prevent the water from overflowing, instead of passing along the channel to the next tub. The stones were of all shapes and sizes, and were so arranged that they did not follow the barrel rims exactly, but produced small angles and crevices, with an occasional larger piece of rock jutting out over the water. When finished, no two pools were of exactly the same shape.

Simple steps of rough stone lead down to the sunken water garden from its upper end, passing behind the rock mounds. In the joints, ivy-leaved Toad Flax, Campanula Pusilla, and some of the smaller Saxifrages have become established. The pools nearest to the path are also approached by steps, with a stone slab at the edge to give convenient foothold for closer examination of the Lilies.

When making this garden, adequate means for supplying water to the bog plants themselves was un­fortunately overlooked. As it is, they are occasionally refreshed and the soil kept moist, from the water barrow. This involves a little extra labor, which, I think, might have been avoided. A small iron cistern could have been sunk in the ground at the point where the supply pipe emerged from the rock mound.

An overhanging edge of stones would have given it the appearance of a small spring, and an easy approach would have constituted it a useful dipping pool. Some inches from the top an outlet would make contact with the cement channel, so that after using as much water as was necessary for soaking the bog soil, the simple method of turning on the supply at the reservoir would refill the dipping tank, causing it to overflow down the channel, and refresh the aquatics in the tubs.

An overhanging fringe of Hart's­ Tongue would look well near the tank, and in the stone­work joints, the common Polypody, the Oak and Beech Ferns would thrive.

Only plants of small size can be used for these miniature gardens, everything must be planned on a reduced scale. For the tubs the larger Nymphaeas are, of course, out of the question, but in one of them we may grow N.pygmaea, a diminutive Lily with white flowers, in another, the pale yellow variety Helvola, which is a seedling from N.pygmaea, and was raised by M.Latour-Marliac. Pontederia, with arrow-shaped leaves and spikes of blue flowers, would also be suit­able, as would the beautiful Cape Pond flower (Apono­geton). The leaves lie on the surface of the water, and the white waxy flowers, sweetly scented, are raised slightly above it. There is a pink flowered variety, roseus.

In the moist bog soil, Primula Farinosa and P.rosea will be found, small patches of the native yellow Saxifrage (S.autumnalis) being placed near the sides of the watercourse. The Bavarian Gentian (G.bavarica), with blossoms of iridescent blue, is like­wise at home in the wet bog.

A charming plant for contrast is the dwarf Bunch-berry (C.candensis), dis­tinct as to its cream colored bracts and scarlet berries. In Sphagnum, the Droseras and the smaller plants mentioned elsewhere can be established.

From the American swamps we get the Meadow Beauty (Rhexia Virginica), a beautiful dwarf plant, with deep rosy flowers. For carpeting, in addition to the mosses, there is the Moneywort (Sibthorpia), and in shade the hardy Adiantum pedatum and the American Mayflower (Epigaea Repens). One corner in half shade must be set aside for a clump of Cypripedium Spectabile, and at the back Osmunda and certain of our smaller Spiraeas would relieve any tendency to flatness.

It is the intention of the owner of the water garden we have been considering, to make considerable altera­tions in the shrubbery which bounds the bog margin.

In course of time the majority of the laurels will be removed, and their place taken by Rhododendrons and the choicer flowering shrubs. Peaty soil will be provided in which colonies of Lilies can be established, with ferns in the damper quarters. Short vistas will be opened from the bog garden side, so as to soften the present hard dividing line.

The two gardens, water and shrub, will gradually merge into one, and the plants range from actual aquatics to those which inhabit the dry peaty clearings among the Rhododen­drons. It is always best to forecast other schemes, and arrange for future developments when planning alterations.

In very small gardens indeed, where space cannot be spared for even the above modest attempt at water ­gardening, isolated tubs may be used.The water supply will be renewed by hand, taking care to disturb the plants as little as possible. Some gardeners never change the water in tubs and small basins, but find that a few newts suffice to keep it moderately clean and fresh.

A water garden suggests something elaborate and costly, but there are many who derive no small amount of pleasure from the miniature charms of a single Lily in a tub, with a fringe of bog plants growing in a moist, peaty bed beside it.