Evening star., 1934-05-18
THIS AND THAT
BY CHARLES E. TRACEWELL.

sure uniformity Is to stick lathes in
the sides every inches and permit
them to protrude about inches, so
that an inch is left when the concrete
is poured. These sticks may then be
pulled out.
1t Is especially necessary fer the
builder to keep in mind that the pool
rim must be level all around, else his
water will pile up one way or another.
and there Is nothing more distressing
looking than a lopsided pool. The
way to produce level pool is to place
board across one way, and then an
other, at each operation, testing with
spirit level. and then building up
before the rim Is completed.
Each job must be completed as a
continuous job that is, the pouring or
spreading of the concrete must be
finished, after beginning, and the fin
ishing coat must be finished, after its
beginning. Each of these jobs must
be continuous, because II incompleted
there will be lap created which in
time will crack.
There Is no necessity for a drain,
because a lily pool ought to be with
out running water-lilies will not
bloom in running water 1t is too cold
for them-but If one incorporates a
drain, it should not be of the remov-
able type, but built in, and preferably
at the side, top.
The finishing coat is of pure cement
and goes on after the other is dry.
Concrete work should not be permit
ted to dry out too quickly, but should
be kept damp for several days by pro-
tecting with dampened straw, burlap
or other material, and this sprinkled
lightly from time to time.
Our choice for pool depth Is at
least 80 inches. with a low spot for
siphoning, if necessary. Many fine
pools are less than this. though but
at anv rate pool should be at least
two feet deep. The deeper, within
reason, the better for the fishes, eSpe-
ciauy in Winter Lily boxes may be
built in, of concrete, but they clutter
up the pool. and are not necessary.
Wooden boxes. preferably of cypress,
may be elevated on stones, so that the
lily root is but IL inches below the
water level
Now comes, in some respects, the
most important matter of all. because
there is no use of building nice con-
crete pool if one is not going to sea
son" it properly.
Such a pool should have net less
than six complete changes OF water
over a period of two weeks before any
6ch int !
acids may be used, including vinegar.
and while they may hasten the proc
ess bit, they are not necessary and
will not do any better than water,
provided 1t is changed often enough.
These changes must be complete, each
time, so that the alkaline end
products are completely removed from
the walls. Those who think this is
too much trouble" are making a big
mistake. as they will find out later. 1t
is foolish to put money and time into
the building of a pool and then to try
to beat the seasoning game. 1t just
can't be done.
Concrete work is not easy, and one
who is not handy man should hesi-
tate before undertaking it. There are,
| OF course. ether forms of outdoor
pools. A clay bottom, if tough enough,
| and we'll worked. will "hold water" if
the pool is small and comparatively
shallow. Goldhshes are said to grow
exceedingly well in such a pool A
concrete bowl" may be slapped over
such depression, and needs no re-
| inforcing. A tub, either of wood or
metal may be used. sunk into the
ground. but the wooden tub must be
seasoned. too, as completely as a con-
| crete pool. Lilies will seldom bloom
in q galvanized tub, but golofishes
may be expected to do nicely What
ever type of pool you build. built it
| where it gets sun all day long, or do
not build it at all