REVIEW. 1 75 



PART II. 



REVIEW. 



The Flower Garden, iucluding Directions for the Arrange- 

 ment and Cultivation of all Garden Flowers, fyc. London, 

 Orr & Co. 



We have received the first part of this publication, June, 1837, 

 and find it contain some useful and interesting remarks. The 

 following extract on Rock Work, is a specimen, of its style. 



We recommend the Work to our readers. The Author has 

 not stated whether the parts in future, are to come out monthly, 

 quarterly, or annually. 



"The Chinese, who are partial to imitations of the grander features of na- 

 ture, in minature, frequently in the smallest area of a town court-yard, have 

 rough shapeless stones thrown together in heaps, to represent rocks, with 

 plants growing in the crevices. It is by no means unusual, in our own 

 suburban gardens, to see similar fanciful, and incongruous, heaps of stones, 

 chiefly irregularly formed Hints, the soria; of forges, and large bits of coke 

 from the gas works, covered with sedums, honse-leek, and other plants which 

 may be made to grow in such situations. Most of these are planted, and 

 executed in the worst taste. 



" The finest specimen of this kind of work which was ever, perhaps, ex- 

 ecuted, was laid out |by Mr. Forrest, now of the Kensington Nursery, for his 

 Grace the Duke of Northumberland, at Sion House. The imitation is, indeed , 

 so complete, that when the back of the visitor is turned to the superb con- 

 servatory, he might almost fancy himself at the entrance of a Highland glen. 

 The turf on the edge cf this rock-work is in parts studded with moss, while 

 little knolls, which nobody would doubt being real ant-hills, are covered 

 with wild thyme and hare-bells. The expense of this, however, must be 

 enormous, as there are blocks of granite of several tons weight; and few 

 amateurs, we think, would attempt to rival this. But when tastefully 

 planned, and well executed, rock-work may be made a very interesting 

 feature ot a flower-garden. The following remarks on the subject from 

 " Chambers' Edinburgh Journal," will give the reader some good hints, 

 which he may adapt to circumstances and situation, should he be inclined to 

 construct rock-work for flowers. 



" ' The rocky ravine, the mountain's brow, and the sea-beach, are the 

 most fertile sources of materials for a rockery ; and it is necessary, in se- 

 lecting them, to pay minute attention to the manner in which the various 

 rock are deposited in their several beds, and also to the mosses, heaths, and 

 ferns, which are congenial to them ; for, in proportion as the selector shall 

 succeed in 'imitating nature, will he please his own eye, and gratify his 

 friends. Having fixed on a quarter whence materials are to be procured, 

 the next object is to find out an intelligent workman, who may execute the 

 charge entrusted to him with care. On this a good deal depends ; and some 

 pains should be taken to make him understand thoroughly what is wanted. 

 The size of the stones should always be varied, but proportioned upon the 

 whole to the intended size of the rock-work. A number of detached erec- 

 tions never look well; they are stiff and artificial. The whole should show 

 an evident and well-defined connection; and, with regard to the stones, 

 the greatest possible variety in form and size shonld be studied. The 



