ALPINE FLOWER, ROCK, AND WALL GARDENS. 87 



it moist and free from weeds, and it will grow well ; but leave it to 

 Nature, and the strong herbs will soon cover it, excluding the light 

 and killing it. 



The part of the gardens around the rock garden should be pictur- 

 esque, and, in any case, be a quiet, airy spot with as few jarring 

 points as may be. No tree should be in the rock 

 Position of rock garden; hence a site should not be selected where 

 garden. it would be necessary to remove favourite trees. 



The roots of trees would find their way into the 

 masses of good soil for the alpine flowers, and soon exhaust them. 

 Besides, as these flowers are usually found on treeless wastes, it is 

 best not to place them in shaded places. 



As regards the stone .to be used, sandstone or millstone grit 

 would perhaps be the best ; but it is seldom that a choice can be 

 made, and almost any kind of stone will do, from Kentish rag to 



Wrong way of forming rock garden. Right. 



limestone. Soft and slaty kinds and others liable to crumble away 

 should be avoided, as also should magnesian limestone. The stone of 

 the neighbourhood should be adopted, for economy's sake, if for no 

 other reason. Wherever the natural rock crops out, it is sheer 

 waste to create artificial rockwork instead of embellishing that which 

 naturally occurs. In many cases nothing would be necessary but to 

 clear the ground, and add here and there a few loads of good soil 

 with broken stones to prevent evaporation, the natural crevices and 

 crests being planted where possible. Cliffs or banks of chalk, as well 

 as all kinds of rock, should be taken advantage of in this way ; 

 many plants, like the dwarf Hairbells and Rock Roses, thrive in such 

 places. No burrs, clinkers, vitrified matter, portions of old arches 

 and pillars, broken-nosed statues, etc., should ever be seen in a garden 

 of alpine flowers. Never let any part of the rock garden appear as 

 if it had been shot out of a cart. The rocks should all have their 

 bases buried in the ground, and the seams should not be visible; 



