GARDEN DECORATIONS. ' 143 



out in gentle showers, from time to time, water with a 

 fine rose, and syringe over the leaves sometimes. 



Cuttings may often be struck in a less favourable place 

 than is required for plants to grow ; many will do well 

 if planted in a saucer of silver sand, and placed on the 

 mantelpiece in a room with a fire in it, or in any other 

 place where they can stand without interference, warm, 

 but not exposed to the sun. 



CHAPTER XVIII. 



GARDEN DECORATIONS. 



ROCKWORK is a very favourite decoration for gardens and 

 pleasure grounds. Some people may call it a Cockney 

 fancy to pretend to bring wild nature into trim gardens, 

 by building up stones, and planting ferns, trees, sedums, 

 and appropriate vegetation among them, but what matter 

 if the owner like it, he may do what he likes with his 

 own ; and it might be better for us if we would be con- 

 tented to admire all that is good and admirable in our 

 neighbour's garden, aye ! and in his character too, with- 

 out ultra criticism. Let us admire our choice roses and 

 all their gay companions in the border, and let the 

 owner of rockwork hold to his stones, with their ferns, 

 mosses, and other varied coverings, and each in each 

 other's fancies may find many, although different, 

 beauties. 



A rock with flat unbroken surface has not a pic* 

 turesque appearance ; rockwork should, therefore, be 

 broken and uneven on the surface. A good mound of 

 earth, rubbish, and brickbats is the best nucleus ; this 

 will support the rockwork, and give support to the plants 

 grown amongst it. Over this build up rough stones, 

 pieces of rock, clinkers, and other substances, according 

 to taste, with as varied a surface as possible. If the 



