12 THE ROCK GARDEN. [Nov. 



tlie chalk downs. These do not care I'or the same mixture, as 

 previously described. The peat-loving plants, of which many of 

 tlie dwarf American plants may be quoted as examples, require only 

 fibrous peat, mixed with a little sharp sand, for their healthy 

 growth ; and the chalk plants require nothing liut chalky soil, in 

 which they luxuriate, and neither of these classes will grow well or 

 long in any other soil. Many of our rarest orchises are confined to 

 the chalky downs of England, and they are usually found to be 

 difficult plants to manage in cultivation ; but if they are carefully 

 planted in soil suited to them, they can be managed with consider- 

 able success. The excessive moisture during winter in this northern 

 climate is the prijicipal cause of failures in growing these plants. 

 But a good dej^tli of chalky soil, which is of a porous nature, witli 

 good drainage underneath, will prevent this. 



The peat beds should always be placed at the lower part of the 

 rock garden, and be well drained. The chalk beds, on the contrary, 

 should be placed on tlie liigher portions, so that they may be kept 

 as dry as possible during the winter ; and during the summer, when 

 the plants are growing, artificial watering can be applied when 

 necessary. 



I have used leaf mould largely in the making of my rock beds, 

 because the natural soil in my garden is clay ; but where the 

 natural soil is of a lighter nature, it is not necessary to use such 

 a large quantity of leaf mould, as the natural loam from an old 

 pasture, well rotted down, when mixed with a small proportion of 

 leaf mould and sand, will answer well for tlie growth of most rock 

 plants. 



It is well for an amateur, in commencing the culture of rock 

 plants, to confine his attention for some time to those plants that 

 Avill thrive in such a mixture as has been mentioned, and afterwards, 

 when they have been thoroughly mastered, he can commence 

 •cautiously with those that require more special treatment. 



MANAGEMENT OF THE 1!0CKERY. 



In the summer management of the rockery, the principal matter 

 is watering in dry weather. Those jilants, which are accustomed on 

 their native hills to a large amount of moisture, supplied principally 

 from the melting snow, during all the summer months must be 

 supplied by artificial means. Great care should be taken by the 

 cultivator to see that this is done thoroughly. A slight sprinkling 

 of water during summer does really more harm than good, as the 

 roots during dry weather are always on the search for moisture ; and 

 if they cannot get this at the level of tlieir roots, they naturally 

 turn upwards to get the benefit of the water applied near the surface. 



