THE ROCKERY. 25 



In making up the Rockery, the space it is to 

 occupy, in the first place, must be cleared of any 

 rubbish thereon, the ground then levelled, and the 

 ground figure properly marked out. Then the earth 

 taken out of the Pond may be laid down where 

 marked ; but should this soil not be of a kindly na- 

 ture for the plants, that is, should it be of a cold clayey 

 kind, when coming near the desired height, it will 

 be well to mix up some good soil, and to lay a thick 

 stratum of it on the surface. The kinds of soil requi- 

 site will be presently described. Then proceed with 

 laying the stones on, properly and tastefully. Let a 

 good many of those above referred to, as containing 

 holes or cavities, be placed on the north side of the 

 Rockery, for mosses, ferns, &c., &c., while, at the same 

 time, a good many of them may be distributed over 

 the whole for Sedum, Sempervivum, Saxifraga, Me- 

 sembryanthemum, &c. Then let the crevices be- 

 tween the stones have some earth put in. The soils 

 may be distributed as follows :~ 



On the North Side of the Rockery, 



On one part a mixture of black peat or bog-mould, 

 leaf-mould, and sandy loam ; in another, red gravelly 

 or ferruginous soil ; and along the base on this side, 

 an adhesive or clayey kind. Perhaps the soil from 

 the Pond, and placed here in the formation, may be 

 sufficient. In these varieties of soil, the larger ferns, 



