Ponds built entirely of brickwork or concrete offer certain serious objections. In the first place, their banks cannot be planted. Besides, where the winters are very cold, projecting brick or concrete walls must be protected, and it is only where the ponds form part of a formal plan, that the grey masonry edges, projecting half a foot or more above the ground, are appropriate. As a general rule, a combination of concrete and puddling is to be preferred.
For a brick and cement pond, excavate to a depth of two and one-half feet. The sides are given a circular slope, which forms an angle of about 45° with the perpendicular. After the floor has been thoroughly levelled, bricks are laid and cemented into place. Then the walls are built in the same way. They must reach to within one foot from the bottom. The whole is finally covered with a one-half-inch finishing coat of cement.
The slope above the brick wall must now be covered with puddled clay, thoroughly pounded into place, allowing the clay generously to overlap the cement. It is not necessary for the puddled clay closely to follow the outlines of the pond; for this combination of brickwork and clay allows of a planting of the edges of the pond and some plants demand more space than others, and some even must be allowed to grow out at will if they are to look acceptable. This is true for the majority of plants used in the water garden, one great charm of which lies in the unforced contour lines. When finished, the pond will be about two feet three inches deep.
A water supply must now be arranged. This can come from a faucet, which is a good deal better than a fountain, since a continual spray is not good for water-lilies and has a tendency to give them a bedraggled appearance.
A low fence, constructed of perforated pipes and connected with the water system, may surround the pond. This will very effectually flush the pond, but is not necessary since a single faucet through which the water can be turned on from time to time is amply sufficient to remove any scum which may accumulate on the surface of the pond. Of course an overflow, connected with a drain or silt-pit, must be provided. This should be placed in position before the laying of the foundation is begun. A narrow drain pipe will be sufficient for all requirements.