30 ALPINE PLANTS 
reasons, the stone will be of greatest use when lying on 
its broadest surface, and it is in such a position that it will 
be least likely to become disturbed and dislodged. Pro- 
perly placed stones should require no fixing with cement, 
which, to my mind, it should be very seldom necessary to 
introduce to a rockery. A frequent error is to allow 
stones to simply rest on the surface of the soil. If the 
slope is fairly steep, the surface of the stone will also slope, 
so that any rain that falls upon it runs away toward the 
base of the mound, whereas it is required at the roots of 
the plants at the higher levels. Moreover, a stone merely 
lying on the soil provides harbour for slugs, woodlice, 
earwigs, and millipedes, which will emerge at night to 
take toll of the tenderest young growths of the choicest 
plants. A slight excavation should be made in the soil, 
sufficient to submerge half the depth of the stone and give 
it a slight tilt backward. Thus the stone will be held 
secure, and the rain that falls upon it will run behind it, 
to reach the roots of the plants in the pocket above. The 
soil and stones should be so manipulated that broad, flat 
areas are provided for Campanulas, Primulas, Anemones 
and other plants of free growth, whilst encrusted Saxifragas, 
Sempervivums, Onosmas, etc., should be wedged between 
narrow crevices in the stonework, taking care that the 
stones are not so broad that the roots have difficulty in 
reaching the soil behind. It will always be found easier 
and more satisfactory to plant these crevice plants as the 
work of construction of the rockery proceeds. When it is 
necessary to plant in settled rock-work, very small pieces 
of the plants must be inserted in the chinks, with the aid 
