88 JOTTINGS OF A GENTLEMAN GARDENER 



rock-garden, the paths must be properly made. It is best 

 to have the central path ashed, or made with limestone 

 chips. The smaller side paths may be paved with flag- 

 stones. The making of garden paths is fully described in 

 Chapter XVI. 



When the rock-garden has been completed so far, go over 

 the stones and see that they are firm. Push the soil down 

 between them, round, and under them, with your hand 

 a cruel job unless the finger nails are cut very short. More 

 soil will be needed to fill up pockets. The more soil used 

 the better will be the result. Faulty pockets can be 

 improved by the addition of a few small stones, arranged 

 so as to hold in the soil. If a stone is badly placed do not 

 be afraid to take it out and re-set it. The bedding lines on 

 the stone show the directions in which the dip should be. 



Finally, when all is in place go over the rock-garden again 

 with a pail of fine limestone chippings, and sprinkle them 

 freely over the surface of the soil. This will keep the soil 

 sweet and conserve moisture. 



Building on a Bank : I have mentioned that a rock-garden 

 can be made on a natural existing bank ; but it is not so 

 easy to get a good effect, and the number of possible 

 aspects is limited. Only two dips are usually possible 

 without cutting mounds and winding paths into the bank 

 itself. For example, if the bank runs East and West and 

 faces South, the two possible dips for the rock are East and 

 West, and the prevailing aspect will be South. But even 

 so with care and trouble a pretty rock-garden may be 

 made. 



About midway up the bank a winding path may be cut 

 running East and West. This should be at least 2 ft. wide. 

 At the foot of the bank there should be another path,perhaps 

 separating the herbaceous border from the rock-garden. 

 And at the top of the bank there should certainly be another 

 path. Without much moving of earth it is possible to 

 arrange little winding alleyways i ft. wide, with steps across 

 the bank, connecting the centre path with these at the top 

 or bottom. One every 12 or 14 ft. if desired. They should 



