Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1878-08-28
YOUTHS COLUMN.

The Pond in the Chiidren's Garden.-
We need large dry goods box, or one
in which mirror has been packed; il
this is not Obtainable, have a box made
as small or as large as you please; but
do not have it over foot In depth; for ,
in case of accident, it is exceedingly
convenient 20 have the bottom of the
sea at arms lengh.
Have the box pitched within and
without, like the ark of old, until it is
water-tight; plug in one corner is
desirable to drain the pond when fresh
water is required. Then sink the box
into the ground until the edge of it is
nearly level with the grass. If you
strew the bottom with little shells and
pebbles, they will look very pretty un-
der the clear water. Having completed
the work so far, we shall find the chill
dren eager to bring pals of water TO fill
the pond.
On one side of box Chat most exposed
to the SUM have an arbOr made of two
or three bean poles, firmly driven into
the ground and united at the top; the
shape should be broad rather than high.
Before these poles let morning glOries
be trained: they are preferable to other
climbers because they tciH grow. Sur
mounting all obstacles. they run as for
their lives, and you will not have to
wait long for the shade of your arbOr.
If our boys think small wharf in
dispensable for the mOoring of boats.
one can easily be made from another
smaller box, and-but surely, l need
not tell boy with u box of tools how to
build a wharf
At the four corners of our pond, small
pine trees from the woods should be
transplanted. Ii this is impossible, a
sun flower or Zinnia will do, but will
not look as real
Lastly, we want bridge. Not that
it Is very important, but bridge gives
beauty and character ts river. For
our water Is to be river, a pond,
lake, or the ocean itself, as we please
Let us not be too particular about the
construction of a bridge. A strong
board. a few rails on the side, a top
railing,-what would you have moref
A little ingenuity, the help of papa or a
big brother, and you will have a salts
factory piece of architecture.
Now is the time. boys and girls. for you
to plan your garden, TO procure your
seeds. to build your bridge, to retrlm
your old boats and carve out new ones;
for you will find there will be great de-
mand for boats on your garden river
when spring comes.
also advise you To cut out of wood
a few ducks; perhaps you will attempt
a swan. Paint these while and can you
not imagine how charming they will
look by the banks of the river You
will also have facilities for fishing,
therefore the fish must be under way.
Cut them out of light wood with loop
of wire in their mouths, ready TO float
on the water and be caught by little
brothers iishing-line. Ibave seen this
sort thing in operation, and can testify
that it is very entertaining. painless
sport. Not only will the boys enjoy this
pond. but the girls will bring their dolls
for many IA sail. A boat load of dolls
crossing the lake on "A picnic excursion
could anything be more delightful;
while gentle breeZes blow from skill
fully waited palm-lea fan on the shore.
But we cannot expect seas to be always
calm; contrary gales may blow-a puff
from one side, a contrary puff from an
other, all sorts of putfs from little
mouths around the waters edge. And
how could poor ship endure such con
fiicting galesP So overheard they all go.
and it is perfectly surprising what "A
cheerful event even a ship wreck be
comes under such circumstances.
We shall also have excellent OppOr-
tunities for sea-bathing for those dolls
whose general makeup admits of such
exercise.