1 6 ROCK AND WATER GARDENS 



nearly all rock gardens formed on banks, require to be 

 closely planted. The joints and seams between the 

 stones should be completely hidden by Saxifrages, 

 Ferns, Alpine Primulas and various Sedums. Then if 

 the stones have been laid so that they simulate the lines 

 of natural strata, the idea of a wall will give place to a 

 solid, unbroken rock face, in the fissures of which various 

 small plants have established themselves. When build- 

 ing, it is convenient to lay a wooden spline vertically 

 against the front face of the rock wall from time to 

 time : it will then be easy to ascertain if the centre 

 stones are in a line with the rest, or are too much 

 advanced. The latter is a serious error in rock build- 

 ing, as sooner or later it leads to the bursting outward 

 of the whole structure and the loss of many valuable 

 plants. 



Apart from considerations of economy, local stone 

 should always be used, as being most likely to harmon- 

 ise with the character of the surrounding vegetation. 

 Sandstone blocks are extremely useful, this material 

 having the additional advantage of weathering to a 

 picturesque shade. Limestone is also good ; but slaty, 

 crumbling material is of little value, as it soon succumbs 

 to the disintegrating influence of the atmosphere. On 

 no account should gnarled tree roots, broken stumps or 

 woodwork of any description be included in the rock 

 garden, a restriction which, needless to say, includes all 

 such anachronisms as fragments of pottery, and general 

 debris from the stone mason's yard. 



The paths in the rock garden should be of the simplest 

 description. They need never be of greater width than 

 will permit of two persons walking abreast, whilst the 

 smaller back paths should be capable of admitting but 

 one. A good effect will be obtained by sinking irregular 

 stone slabs at intervals, much in the way that the native 

 rock appears along the foot-worn track on mountain side 



