42 ROCK GARDENS 



rather limited, and it is desired to obtain the 

 utmost possible surface on which to plant, resist 

 the temptation to make two small valleys in 

 preference to one large one. This is most im- 

 portant and one of the most essential points to 

 be noted, and I cannot impress it too strongly 

 on the reader ; for in laying out a rock garden, 

 one of the chief objects is to obtain the boldest 

 effects the site will permit of. This cannot be 

 achieved if more is attempted than the space 

 conveniently allows. If space is available 

 and it is desired to have two parallel valleys, 

 they should be at least 20 or 30 yards apart, in 

 order to allow for planting on the top. The 

 path should so wind about that it is impossible 

 to see both ends simultaneously from any 

 spot. The garden will be far more attractive 

 and its size apparently very much increased if 

 we see only a small portion of it at a time, and 

 if round every corner some fresh attraction can 

 be provided. 



Having laid out the general lie of the main 

 path, the next procedure is to mark out lines 

 on either side about 20 feet from it, following 

 its course throughout, which we will call lines 



