IRISH GARDENING. 



$5 



nearly all at the same aiigfle. The depth of soil in the 

 pockets in such cases is not studied so long as the 

 rocks present a certain stereotyped appearance. Work 

 of this type is radically wrong-, and it cannot be 

 wondered at if such constructions prove to be cemeteries 

 in very truth for all but the strongest subjects. 



M.\KING OF THE ROCK GARDEN. — The Work should 

 be imdertaken at some time through the autumn or 

 winter, not only because at this time of the year most 

 of the alterations and improvements in gardens are 



a natural outcrop of rock. Where this is the case it 

 would be folly to construct an artificial rock-garden. 

 It is only necessary to clear the face of the rocks from 

 weeds, &c., and to add the requisite soil to have an 

 excellent .Alpine garden. 



The FORM may be simply a bed of good soil with 

 rocks embedded through it, and informally edged with 

 stone. More pretentious formations are the barrow- 

 shaped, sunk, or raised rockeries. The barrow-shaped 

 rockery is in the form of a bed or border ofanycon- 



ViEW IN A Rock Gardkn at Glenagearv, Co. Dublin. 



carried out, but also because the winter rains will help 

 to settle the soil in readiness for spring planting. 



In choosing the SITE the soil is a very important 

 factor. -A good, deep, loamy soil will suit the majority 

 of subjects. .A rocky subsoil is a distinct advantage. 

 Tc> provide congenial soil for plants requiring a 

 different rooting medium whole spaces could be 

 cleared during construction and provision made for 

 colonies of plants having similar requirements. In other 

 cases pockets may be filled with suitable compost. A 

 depth of at least three feet of soil is recommended. An 

 open situation, away from trees and walls, is desirable, 

 but varied exposures are necessary. Whatever the 

 aspect may be, to a great extent success will be 

 dependent on the structure itself. In some favoured 

 places it may so happen that there is already available 



venient length. It is highest in the centre, sloping 

 towards the walk on either side, planning width and 

 height according to individual requirements. The sunk 

 and raised rockeries arc more ambitious structures, and 

 are what their names imply. Where grass banks are 

 so plentiful as to present a sameness of appearance, 

 these, or some of them, might be converted into raised 

 rockeries, answering splendidly as such and improving the 

 general appearance of the ground. Generally speaking, 

 on the level ground the rocks will slope away nto the 

 soil. A pleasing feature may be created in grass by 

 breaking up with isolated rocks, and planting around 

 these with some such subject as ivy, periwinkle, coton- 

 easter, or some such subject in a perfectly natural 

 manner. 



[To be ro/i/intu'c/.^ 



