There is no reason why a suburban garden should not be beautified by water scenery of some kind - by the formal stone basin and fountain, the circular pond shaded with rose arches, and stocked with ornamental fish, or the mimic lake or river, partially hidden to conceal the meagreness of its extent, and the illusion helped out by sloping banks, massive shrubs, and a few water-fowl.

Where the dimensions are small, a basin is to be preferred. Such a tank must not be inclosed by shrubs or a profusion of vegetation, but must offer its white rim in contrast with smooth turf, sloping gently up towards a hillock, out of which the basin rises with its circle unbroken, or only broken in one or two places, by an elegant trailing plant, or piece of appropriate statuary. In such oases, the surrounding borders should be formally laid out with gay exotics, the box borders kept in the neatest trim, the standard roses on the turf few but fine, and anything in the nature of a shrubbery or sylvan retreat placed sufficiently far away so as not to break the formality and brightness which should surround the basin. The fountain may be of a classical design, a mere Jet on the surface of the water not having sufficient dignity, while the ornaments of the paths and grass-plat should be elegant vases crowded with gay plants; and light iron chairs, rather than rustic baskets and mosey seats.

In an extensive garden of formal arrangement, laid out in parterres, planted with various exotic shrubs, the centre should be appropriated to an ornamental basin and bold jet* From the centre the paths may diverge and form the radii of a circle, so as to afford approaches to the fountain and views of it from every part of the formally planted scene. The annexed plan for such a garden may be found useful where there is sufficient space to give it fulness of character. The shrubs may be botanic ally as well as artistically arranged, and a combination of the arboretum and pleasure garden satisfactorily accomplished.

In our next we shall give a sketch of "a garden aquarium".