56 ROCK GARDENS 



higher than in the case of the valley gardens, 

 and it will be expedient to make paths over 

 them ; it will therefore be advisable that their 

 general lie should be planned out, and the 

 formation of the banks made in the rough. 



The rocky bed requires comparatively little 

 work in the preparatory stage. It usually is 

 made on ground that is level or fairly so ; 

 therefore make sure that it can be properly 

 drained. When the site has been marked out, 

 making its outline as varied as possible, dig 

 out the soil to a depth of about 2^ feet, and 

 put in 6 to 9 inches of broken stones, coarse 

 first and smaller above, which will facilitate 

 drainage. At the same time take care that 

 there is a proper outlet for the water to get 

 away. The soil can, if necessary, be replaced, 

 adding more then to bring it to the required 

 height ; for the top should be quite 3 feet 

 above the surrounding ground. 



In dealing with the large garden it is 

 difficult to give any very definite instructions 

 for its treatment, as so much depends on the 

 natural formation of the ground. One of the 

 more important points is to lay out the garden 



