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The top of the
drain pipe will be nearly flush with the floor
and all that remains is to fit a suitable stopper
to it, for preference one with a ring or hook
in the centre, when, with a boathook or
similar implement, the stopper can be removed
easily when the pond is to be emptied.
As a precaution, in case the pond may have
a tendency to leak, it is advisable to apply
a layer, about an inch thick, of one of the
advertised ' waterproof' cements. Directions
for mixing this are printed on the container,
and it should cover the whole of the cement
work so that there are no joints visible.
Needless to say, this operation should be finished in one effort. Another advantage of
finishing with waterproof cement is that it
releases very little alkaline poison into the
water and so stocking may be proceeded with
sooner.
The last piece of work is the surrounding
rockery or crazy paving, which should be
cemented to the edge.
The pond is ready now to receive the water.
The first filling should be allowed to stand
for a week, and if it remains at the first level,
then we may be sure the pond is watertight.
If the water level is lower but, after another
week, gets no lower, then it is along that line
that the leak will be found. No leak manifesting itself, we remove the plug of the soak-
away, and are pleased to find that it works
admirably.
Now fill the pond again and leave it for as
long as your patience will permit. The
longer a pond is allowed to stand the better,
four or five months if possible. Cement,
with the action of the water, liberates alkaloids
that are poisonous to plants and fishes alike.
A good time to make a pond is in the late
Autumn, and then it can stand until March
when the pleasant task of stocking commences.
However, if the pond has been made, say
in February, give several changes of water,
and in the last change but one place an ounce
of permanganate of potash in the water.
This may stain the cement but will soon wear
off, and in any case will not injure the stock.
When it is thought that the cement has
yielded up all its poisons the shelf may be
filled ; first a layer of loam two inches thick
and then a layer of gravel to the level of the
ledge. The soil assists the growth of the
plants although they derive considerable nutriment from the water, the gravel prevents the
soil from fouling the water and generally
gives a clean look. The water lily will be
planted in a basket and so a layer of gravel
is all that the deep part requires.
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