A hole is then bored through from the outside of the trunk, to communicate with the highest point reached by the former operation, and in this second hole a spout is fixed.

The same is done at a very short distance above the root, in the part of the trunk which will be buried in the earth when the tree is replanted, and the poplar is then fixed in damp ground, with the pipe at its root in connection with one of the little runs of water which abound in meadows at the foot of hills.

A well-known property of fluids produces then the strange effect of an unceasing flow of water from an iron spout in the trunk of a living tree; and, as poplars love water, the fountain-tree thrives, and is more vigorous than its neighbours.

This sort of fountain may be common in some parts of Switzerland, but I have not seen them myself except in this immediate neighbourhood.

There is said to be one near Stachelberg.
In the endeavour to explain all this to me, Christian succeeded so perfectly, that for the rest of the day we understood each other very well.