26 ROCK GARDENS 



types hitherto dealt with, in which the alpines 

 are grown on the lower banks or slopes, with 

 shrubs and trees above ; for in this case the 

 shrubs are planted in the valleys and the alpines 

 on the heights. Without doubt this is copy- 

 ing nature more closely ; but to be effective 

 the plan must be on a large scale, and cover 

 at least two or three acres, composed of natur- 

 ally very broken ground, with hills and hollows 

 well defined and as varied as possible. 



The rockwork must correspondingly be of a 

 bolder formation and its lines more generous. 

 If this is not the case, the result will be but 

 a poor and insignificant imitation of Nature's 

 handiwork, and consequently be far from 

 pleasing. As, however, bold rockwork entails 

 larger rocks, with cost and labour increased 

 proportionately, I should not advise anybody 

 to whom expense is a matter of importance 

 to embark on a garden of this type. But 

 those who are fortunate enough to be indiffer- 

 ent to cost, and who possess suitable ground, 

 may well be urged to make this style of garden, 

 and I feel sure that they will never have cause 

 for regret, provided it is skilfully laid out. 



