88 ROCK GARDENS 



will lose that hard and compact form which 

 it should have, and which is the joy and pride 

 of those who are successful in the cultivation 

 of rock plants. 



If the soil be deficient in humus it may be 

 supplied in the form of leaf-mould, but it 

 should be old and well decayed. 



Many and various are the opinions about 

 lime-hating and lime-loving plants, but on one 

 point all are agreed, namely, that some plants, 

 such as the peat-lovers, will not live if there is 

 any lime in the soil ; this unfortunately cannot 

 be eradicated if there naturally, but it is easy 

 to supply artificially if required ; it is clear, 

 therefore, that a soil free from lime is to be 

 preferred. 



Lime can be supplied either in the form of 

 old Hme-rubbish or well-slaked lime ; but in 

 order to be sure that the latter is quite "dead," 

 it should be dug into the ground some weeks 

 before planting. It is recommended by some 

 authorities, such as Mr Robinson, that separate 

 portions of the garden should be prepared for 

 those plants exclusively requiring lime, or 

 peat, or so forth, in preference supplying the 



