HOW TO MAKE A SMALL ROCK-GARDEN 89 



be flagged in the manner described in Chapter XVI. In 

 this case it is better to arrange the paths first and work in 

 the rocks later. 



The actual building should be carried through as already 

 described. Stones should be laid in horizontal lines dipping 

 slightly to East or West, or in some parts they may dip 

 both ways forming, as geologists call it, an " anticlinal." 

 They should not dip steeply, or be too close together, or 

 the bank will have too craggy and fortress-like an 

 appearance. The dipping rocks may be cut off by craggy- 

 faced stones where a path or alleyway runs through them, 

 and the line continued on the other side of the alleyway, 

 imitating a cutting for a road through a rocky spur. If 

 the bank is necessarily steep, use two medium-sized stones 

 rather than one thick one. Push as much earth as possible 

 between them with your hands, and arrange them so that 

 they slope gently backwards, otherwise the plants will get 

 no water. 



Good soil should be plentifully used on the bank and 

 every stone set firmly. No mortar or cement should be 

 used, for it is quite possible to set the stones without them. 

 If there can be a level strip 2-4 ft. wide at the top of the 

 bank, stray rocks can be set in the soil as already described, 

 and they will look well. 



The building of a rockery in a long narrow border or in 

 a corner between two walls needs no special description. 

 The rocks should be firmly set in layers dipping gently in 

 one or at most two directions. The rockery should not 

 be too steep or its appearance will be spoilt. 



Mistakes to Avoid : There are several mistakes to avoid 

 in the construction of a rock-garden. I have already 

 mentioned some, including the use of overhanging stones. 

 Plants cannot live without sun, air, and moisture, which 

 they do not get as they should if they are overhung. 

 Another error is that of providing too little soil. Rock- 

 plants cannot live without soil, and the more they can have 

 the better. It is no good merely putting it on with a 

 trowel ; it must be pushed down at the side of the rocks, 



