2S0 ON THE CULTURE OP ALPINE OR ROCK PLANTS. 



of a cold clayey kind, when coming near the desired height, it will be 

 well to mix up some good soil, and lay a thick stratum of it on the 

 surface. The kinds of soil requisite will be presently described. 

 Then proceed with laying the stones on properly and tastefully. 

 Let a good many of those above referred to, as containing holes or 

 cavities, be placed on the north side of the Rockery, for mosses, 

 ferns, &c, while, at the same time, a good many of them may be dis- 

 tributed over the whole for Sedum, Sempervivam, Saxifrage, Mesem- 

 bryanthemum, &c. Then let the crevices between the stones have 

 some earth put in. The soils may be distributed as follows : — 



" On the North Side of the Rockery.— On one part a mixture of 

 black peat or bog-mould, leaf-mould, and sandy loam ; in another, 

 red gravelly or ferruginous soil ; and along the base on this side, an 

 adhesive or clayey kind. Perhaps the soil from the pond, and placed 

 here in the formation, may be sufficient. In these varieties of soil, 

 the larger ferns, Osmunda regalis, and Alpines, Adoxa, Chyrsos- 

 plenium, Marchantia, &c, can be grown. 



" On the South and two ends. — A mixture of light sandy loam and 

 peat, containing a good deal of white sand, for, Helianthemum, 

 Iberis, Stachys Corsica, Achillea tomentosa, Saxifraga, &c. 



" On the top of the Rock-ivorh. — Very light loam, and a little peat 

 and white sand, for such as Thymus serpyllum, Saxifrage oppositi- 

 folia, Rhodiola rosea, &c. The latter is common in various Alpine 

 districts, and is found abundantly among the rocks on the south-west 

 coast of Argyleshire. 



"Along the margin of the pond, and on the Rockery, soil composed 

 of sandy loam and a good deal of gravel (not too coarse) ; or, what 

 suits better, where it can be had, stone, or rather slate crumbled away 

 into a resemblance of soil. It is found plentifully on the banks of 

 mountain streams. As to the soil suitable for the cavities in the stones, 

 it will be described under the head Arrangement. 



" After having distributed the soil, &c, petrifactions, marcasite, or 

 any other curious or rare specimens of minerals, may be placed here 

 and there among the stones, wherever suitable ; but at the same time, 

 it is necessary not to interfere with the plants, or the situations they 

 are to occupy. 



"It is further desirable that around part of the rock- work (at the 

 base) a border should be formed. Should your locality permit, per- 





