90 JOTTINGS OF A GENTLEMAN GARDENER 



between them or under them, to fill up air cavities, which 

 are injurious to the roots of many rock-plants. 



The mistake of too little soil is, of course, practically 

 the same as too much stone. And yet there is a difference. 

 There may be plenty of soil for rock-plants to thrive in, 

 and yet too much stone. The fact to be remembered is 

 that the stones are necessary only to hold up the soil. In 

 building a rock-mound, for instance, near the top, ask 

 yourself, " Is this layer of stone necessary ? " If the soil 

 will pull down to the rocks that are already placed, another 

 layer of stone is useless. Too many rocks are indeed a 

 great fault : they make the rock-garden steep and ugly. 

 Ask yourself at each layer of rock whether it is necessary 

 before placing it, and you will not go far wrong. 



Then again, do not try to build a rock-garden in rainy 

 weather, when the soil has become pasty and muddy. To 

 put such material between the stones or behind them is 

 almost equivalent to using mortar or cement, and equally 

 detrimental to rock-plants. 



Rock-gardens can be built any time between September 

 and April, but a dry day when the soil is friable should be 

 chosen. 



The Culture of Rock-Plants : When the rock-garden is 

 finished it is best to allow it about three weeks to " settle," 

 before being planted. 



Rock-plants may be planted at any time so long as they 

 are well looked after. But the best months seem to be 

 October and February, or March and April. The plants 

 should be obtained at a nursery, and got in as soon as 

 possible. Small plants are better than big ones. 



The actual planting should be done with a trowel when 

 possible, and when this is not possible the fingers must be 

 used, and perhaps a few bits of stick. The planting 

 of ordinary pockets is fairly easy. Holes are taken out 

 well back, with the trowel, and large enough to hold the 

 plant without cramping. The plant is put in, the soil 

 drawn round it and made very firm. 



Crannies or niches between the rocks are more difficult. 



