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Another trick we have learned is to paint shallow pools, 4 to 6 inches
deep, a dark color, such as deep green, black, or navy blue. This will
give just as much mystery and depth as if the pool had been made 6 feet
deep. Many pools today function as mirrors to reflect and to give added
dimension to some garden aspect-a picturesque tree, an architectural
feature, a doorway-or to give focus to some fine view or garden
vista. Being shallow, these pools will save water and at the same time
present a safety factor where young children are likely to be playing
around the garden.
Another development in late years is the use of the "saucer" pool, a
shallow pool which tapers outward and upward from the center. It has
many advantages, particularly in regions where winter freezing and consequent damage to the sides of the pool may give pause to the prospective pool builder. In this type of pool, when the ice freezes and expands it must move upward because there are no vertical sides for it
to push outward. Hence there is no way the pool can be damaged. These
pools are easy to drain, being easily siphoned out, and what water
remains in the bottom can be whisked out with a broom. They are
easily scrubbed out this same way. No source of water is necessary unless you want one, your garden hose being sufficient when it is needed.
Some pools are placed along the course of natural rills or tiny brooks
which serve as catch basins here and there, placement under little
cascades or small waterfalls being particularly good.
. . . prefabricate your own brook
It is possible to build your own rill or brook into your hillside, or
to build up a little hillock if your place is not naturally hilly. In this
can be installed the re-circulating pump. Place rocks in a natural-looking
outcropping among and over which the water will flow down in a
series of little cascades, to drop into the saucer pools, flow out in a
cement cane between stones, and then go over another rock to fall
into the next pool.
Saucer pools need not be circular. They can be freeform, somewhat
serpentine in shape, even square, so long as the corners are rounded
and the pool tapers upward from the center, leaving no angular sides
against which ice can press. The edges of the pool may be architectural
or natural. A coping may be raised above the level of the terrace 6
inches, 12 inches, or even more, or the pool may be sunk into the terrace with the rim even with the paving.
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