PART L] CULTURAL 35 



Cinquefoils, dwarf silvery Yarrows, purple rock Cresses, Rock- 

 foils, Stonecrops, and Gentianella, all helping well in this way. 

 In many positions the best of all edgings are those of natural 

 stone, such as that shown in the wood-cut on this page. The 

 cool soil below and behind the stones is the very place for rock- 

 plants that suffer in a hot season in dry soils, and many kinds 

 may be grown in this way, as well and even better than in the 

 most costly rock-garden. 



Rough stone-edging to border, with Rock-Plants set behind 

 it. In this simple way many of the most beautiful 

 kinds may be admirably grown. (Engraved from a 

 Photo by George Champion, in my garden.) 



The common way of repeating the same plants at intervals 

 is fatal to good effect here as elsewhere. The reverse of that is 

 the true system for the best kind of mixed border. In a well- 

 arranged one, no six feet of its length should resemble any other 

 six feet of the same border. Certainly, it may be desirable to 

 have several of a favourite plant ; but any approach to planting 

 the same thing in numerous places along the same line should 

 be avoided. I should not, for instance, place one of the neat 

 Saxifrages along in front of the border at regular intervals, fine 

 and well suited as it might be for that purpose ; but, on the 

 contrary, attempt to produce in all parts totally distinct types 

 of vegetation. 



It is a great mistake to dig among choice rock plants, and 

 therefore no pains should be spared in the preparation of the 

 ground at first. If thoroughly well made then, there will be no 

 need of any digging of the soil for a long time. 



Many alpine plants, when grown in borders, are benefited 



