22 THE STORY OF MY ROCK GARDEN 



is that they burst into blossom almost before the snow 

 is oft them. 



Coupled with these ideal conditions is the constant 

 supply of cool water from the melting snow still lying 

 higher on the mountains, and this supply is continuous, 

 until by the falling temperature of autumn when plant 

 growth is checked, the frost again grips the mountain, 

 and the supply automatically ceases, shortly to be 

 followed by the soft wrapping of snow again. 



In our gardens, and especially near London, our 

 winters are characterized by periods of soft balmy 

 growing weather, which induce the plant to make 

 " false starts," only to be followed by sharp spells of 

 cold, which damage this soft growth, while usually the 

 ground at this time is at its wettest, consequently 

 preventing the plants ever getting the rest which they 

 are accustomed to. Then, when the hot weather does 

 reach us, the plants are liable to be scorched up owing 

 to the absence of the natural water supply, which in the 

 mountains is so nicely adjusted by the heat of the sun 

 upon the snow ! 



One other source of difficulty afflicts me here at 

 Woodford, and doubtless many others near to the 

 big city, namely the quiescent periods during our 

 winter, when the air is only gently moving. Then there 

 drifts over to us the grey pall of leaden coloured vapour 

 so constantly hanging above the metropolis, which 



