144 Landscape Gardening 



picturesque operations upon it. We will begin by collect- 

 ing from some rocky hill or valley in the neighborhood of 

 the estate, a sufficient quantity of rugged rocks, in size 

 from a few pounds to half a ton or more, if necessary, pre- 

 ferring always such as are already coated with mosses and 

 lichens. These we will assemble around the base of a large 

 rock, in an irregular somewhat pyramidal group, bedding 

 them sometimes partially, sometimes almost entirely in soil 

 heaped in irregular piles around the rock. The rocks must 

 be arranged in a natural manner, avoiding all regularity and 

 appearance of formal art, but placing them sometimes in 

 groups of half a dozen together, overhanging each other, 

 and sometimes half bedded in the soil, and a little distance 

 apart. There are no rules to be given for such operations, 

 but the study of natural groups, of a character similar to 

 that which we wish to produce, will afford sufficient hints 

 if the artist is 



"Prodigue de genie,"* 



and has a perception of the natural beauty which he desires 

 to imitate. 



The rockwork once formed, choice trailing, creeping, and 

 alpine plants, such as delight naturally in similar situations, 

 may be planted in the soil which fills the interstices between 

 the rocks: when these grow to fill their proper places, 

 partly concealing and adorning the rocks with their neat 

 green foliage and pretty blossoms, the effect of the whole, 

 if properly done, will be like some exquisite portion of a 

 rocky bank in wild scenery, and will be found to give an 

 air at once striking and picturesque to the little scene 

 where it is situated. 



In small places where the grounds are extremely limited, 

 and the owner wishes to form a rockwork for the growth 

 of alpine and other similar plants, if there are no natural 

 indications of a rocky surface, a rockwork may sometimes 

 be introduced without violating good taste by preparing 

 natural indications artificially, if we may use such a term. 



* A favorite quotation of Air. Downing's; see page 76. 



