92 JOTTINGS OF A GENTLEMAN GARDENER 



come up do not disturb them too soon. But when they 

 become crowded, they can be carefully lifted and planted 

 in other parts of the rock-garden. 



Another method is to sow in pots of light soil in a cold 

 frame in March or April. Only a few seeds should be sown 

 in a small pot. Water very carefully, and when large 

 enough prick off singly into very small pots ( " thumbs "). 

 Keep them in these till at least the following April, and 

 then carefully plant out. 



I hope to speak of increasing rock-plants from cuttings 

 in Chapter XXII. 



Concluding Remarks : From what has been said in this 

 chapter it will be evident that in a district where there is 

 no good natural stone, and a supply of meadow loam, rock- 

 gardening is apt to be expensive. But I need hardly say 

 that the result is usually more than worth the expense. If 

 the amateur has not a very deep pocket, there is no reason 

 why he should not carry out the work by instalments. I 

 know of several rock-gardens which were built gradually 

 over a period of many years. And the same course may be 

 followed with the plants. A few strong sorts planted first, 

 and more interesting or fascinating little subjects added 

 from time to time. It must be admitted that the plant item 

 alone is a somewhat serious one to most people. Some of 

 the pretitest rock- plants are expensive, but if a collection 

 is made gradually one does not feel the expense at all. This 

 is where the raising of plants from seed comes in. It is 

 cheaper than buying plants but needs more patience. Or 

 again, pieces of lovely rock-plants may be collected from the 

 limestone rocks at holiday times. 



While the collection is accumulating I would plant a 

 part, but by no means all, of the rock-garden, with such 

 strong plants, as Arabis, Aubrietia, Cerastium, Litho- 

 spermum, and Sedum Acre. These will give a good display, 

 and will show in a very short time what masses of colour 

 may be obtained in the rock-garden. 



If other plants than the strong ones just named are 

 bought, the question arises how many of each to get. 



