As the water margin on the side opposite the path will be most easily seen, it is often advisable to provide stepping stones or a simple form of log bridge in order to enable a view of dwarf plants on the near bank, which from their own side are hidden. In fact, water gardens which can only be seen from one side are seldom satisfactory, and interest can be multiplied indefinitely when the pathway crosses and recrosses the stream, now passing close by the water's edge, now running inland for awhile.

The advantage of a winding brook over one which flows perfectly straight is obvious; moreover it enables certain features to be strengthened, without in any way producing an appearance of artifi­ciality. For instance, the deepening of a bay will pro­vide a home for various plants which would be swept away by anything approaching a rush of water. In these and other ways we can prepare our stream, so that the maximum effect will be obtained when the plants and aquatics have become established.

Before attempting to plant, the character of the exist­ing vegetation should be carefully studied. This will vary greatly, as the stream winds sluggishly through rich water meadows, or trickles among mossy boulders and fallen tree stumps. In one case, the soil will probably be a rich alluvial mud, favorable to the growth of the yellow Iris or the rank growing Dropwort. In the other, we shall find a variety of native ferns, of small creeping things among the mosses, and bold isolated clumps of golden Marigolds.

Whatever ad­ditional planting is done, then, must be influenced by the class of plants already existing. Choice Water Lilies, so beautiful in garden tank or formal pond, would look utterly out of place among the homely surroundings of the meadow stream.

The largest and boldest plants, such for instance as the Cow Parsnip (Heracleum), should be reserved for positions where the ground juts into the water. Not only will their handsome leaves show to best advantage, but so placed, they will conceal the further water recesses and provide an air of mystery as to what the next turn will reveal. An endeavor should be made to introduce a few clumps of plants with distinctive foliage. These may take the place of much of the coarse grass and sedge which probably chokes the margin of the stream.

The Sweet Flag (Acorns Calamus), exhaling a delicate fragrance from its leaves when bruised, the Great Water Plantain and the common Bulrush (Typha) are quite suitable. Then there is the Great Water Dock (Rumex Hydrolapathum), which in autumn decks our stream side with its blood red banners. Unexpectedly beautiful is the Flowering Rush (Butomus), carrying its bold umbels of rose red flowers on tall stems. Distinctive and worthy of a place, the Giant Horse-Tail (E.telmateia) deserves to be established in localities where it does not already exist.

Unless the margin already consists of a fair breadth of rich soil, use the mud excavated from the bed of the stream as a top dressing before planting. During the process of deepening pools and enlarging bays, a large quantity will be removed, and in such a roothold the large border plants will thrive.

In addition to the Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum), already mentioned, we may plant the yellow variety (Lysimachia). A well grown plant of the Common Butterbur (Petasites) would look well springing from a position close to the water edge; the dull pink flowers appear in spring before the leaves unfold. It is on the latter that the value of the plant depends; they are handsome objects, often a foot across, and not unlike those of the rhubarb.

In a simple water garden, such as we have in mind, only native plants would have a place. It is essentially a home for the many and beautiful wildings which may be collected from the sides of streams and ponds.