19(5 THE FLORIST, 



water, if possible, should invariably form an appendage to a rockery. 

 But to introduce large stones and boulders on a lawn, or in a shrub- 

 bery contiguous to the house, or having them scattered about singly 

 on the grass, on the margins of a lake, or beside a bridge, as they are 

 frequently to be seen, may justly be regarded as an infringement on 

 taste and a mockery of nature. 



Rockwork may sometimes be placed in the proximity of glass 

 structures, and even in flower-gardens, with good effect, when these 

 are of a gothic or rustic character ; but here the rockwork must 

 have none of the savage wildness of nature about it, and conse- 

 quently nothing of the impressive picturesqueness of natural rocks. 

 It should be rendered conformable to the objects around it, and 

 appearing to be placed there for the purpose of cultivating those 

 plants that succeed best among rocks, or for shewing the natural 

 habits of plants that grow naturally among rocks, or those that pro- 

 duce a better effect when planted on them. In these cases the rocks 

 should be more artistically and tastefully arranged. It should be 

 clearly shewn, by their arrangement and accompaniments, that no 

 attempt is made to imitate nature, but rather a proper place for dis- 

 playing and cultivating the plants that are grown upon them. 



Rockeries of this kind depend for their interest and beauty more 

 on the disposition of the plants than on any influence possessed 

 by themselves ; and therefore they should never be allowed to be- 

 come bare, otherwise they dwindle down to meaningless conceits. 

 They ought also to be formed of choice materials, as specimens of 

 rare minerals, metallic ores, ricli conglomerates, stalagmites, fossils, 

 scoria, fine specimens of crj^stallography and vitrification, forming a 

 kind of cabinet, which excites the attention of the spectator, and 

 affords interest and gratification to the more curious examiner, and 

 tending also to divest the rockery of any incongruity which might 

 arise from its being out of place. 



It may likewise be observed, that rockeries should always be in 

 detached groups, and, whether large or small, should never present 

 straight lines or flat surfaces. The more irregular the arrangement, 

 the more striking the effect produced. It should also be so situated 

 as to be partly shaded and overhung by pendulous trees, to screen it 

 from the glare of sunshine; it should always be rather cool, and, if 

 possible, shut in by itself by shrubbery, and, if possible also, should 

 be accompanied by ^jet d'eau or basin of water, or both. 



To attempt giving rules for the arrangement of rockeries is use- 

 less, as their forms entirely depend upon the taste of the builder ; 

 and in this kind of work, more than any other branch of ornamental 

 gardening, will the taste of the builder be brought out ; and here also 

 will be perceived the difference between those who have studied from 

 nature, and those who have no vivid conceptions of natural beauty. 

 It may here be observed, however, that the whole design should be 

 diversified in its outlines, in its heights, and in its general forms. 

 No two parts should bear the slightest resemblance to each other, 

 and the greater the irregularity, the more interesting the effect. 



The great artificial rock-gardens at Chatsworth, and other places 



