“Fringe of the Mere,” the lilies in foreground are only suggested by focussing with judgment, the distance is not sharp, yet correct.” ⎯ P.H. Emerson, Sept., 1889,  To The Student 

From Chapter XI: Broad Farms

“Our second plate represents a group of farm-buildings nestling away beyond the reed. At the staithe is moored a wherry, the sail being half raised to dry. On the left floats an unused wherry, which for years has done no service save to harbour wood-lice and spiders. The grey day-lighting adds to the beauty of the reflections, which are here and there streaked with bright ripple-marks. In the foreground the lilies complete the composition, and are seen dimly and indistinctly as we look over them to the picture- the farm-buildings.

The farming of these small holdings is the same as on the marsh-farms, and, as we have described that elsewhere, we will not repeat it here. The marsh-farms, however, which are situated on the broads themselves, from their position give special facilities to the small farmers, and, if they are very energetic, they will add to the work of the ordinary marsh-farmers the profitable occupations of gladdon, reed, and bolder culture; they will pay more attention to faggot-cutting, for often they possess coverts on the land adjoining the broads. Especially careful are they to breed ducks and geese, and to get a quiet shot at times at pheasant or partridge, for these birds are very fond of frequenting the marshes near the broads.” p. 80

“A mere is a shallow lake, pond, or wetland, particularly in Great Britain and other parts of western Europe.” -Wikipedia (2025)