Ponds, are reservoirs of water dug out of the soil, and made retentive by puddling with clay their bottoms and sides.

Puddling is necessary in almost all instances and the mode of proceeding is thus detailed by Mr. Marnock, in the United Gardeners' Journal. When the excavacation is formed, or partially so, the bottom puddle near the outer edge is formed, and upon this is raised the upright or side puddle; and as this proceeds the ordinary clay or earth is raised at the same time, and by this means the upright puddle is retained in its place; and ultimately the sides, being formed in a sloping direction, admit of being covered with gravel or sand, and may be walked upon, or stakes may be driven to a considerable depth without reaching the puddle or in any way injuring it; this can never be the case if the puddle, as is sometimes done, be laid upon the sloping side of the pond. The sides may slope rapidly, or the reverse: if the slope be considerable, sand or gravel to give a clean appearance will be the more likely to be retained upon the facing; plants can be more easily fixed and cultivated; goldfish also find in these shallow gravelly parts under the leaves of the plants suitable places to deposit their spawn, and without this they are seldom found to breed. Ponds made in this way may be of any convenient size, from a couple of yards upwards to as many acres.

The following is the section of a pond thus formed: a indicates the surface of the ground at the edge of the water; b, the puddle; e,the facing to preserve the puddle from injury; d, the water; e, the surface of the latter; and f, the ordinary bottom. When a small pond of this kind is to be made, and the extent of the surface is determined upon and marked out, it will then be necessary to form a second or outer mark, indicating the space required for the wall or side puddle, and about three feet is the proper space to allow for this - the puddle requiring about two feet, and the facing which requires to be laid upon the puddle ought to be about a foot more, making together three feet. Ponds may be made very ornamental, and for suitable suggestions on this point, see Water.

Fig. 137.