84 THE STORY OF MY ROCK GARDEN 



It will be noticed that I am continually referring 

 to old mortar and broken brick as excellent materials 

 to mix with the soil. The former I use as a substitute 

 for chalk or crushed limestone, to furnish such plants as 

 require it notably the silvery section of the Saxifrages 

 with lime. Usually sifted mortar, the detritus from 

 pulling down old buildings, is easily obtained near a 

 town, and in the absence of natural limestone or chalk, 

 answers admirably, by not only providing the neces- 

 sary lime in, apparently, an easily assimilated form, 

 but tends to keep open the sticky soil of my locality 

 and as everyone knows, who labours under this dis- 

 advantage, no matter how much we may lighten the 

 heavy soil by the addition of sand, it always seems 

 to partake, though in a modified degree, of the all- 

 pervading soapiness. 



The broken brick makes an excellent substitute for 

 sandstone in the soil, not only to keep it open, but to 

 prevent the too rapid evaporation of moisture, and yet 

 ensure quick drainage. I find that really well burnt 

 but porous bricks are the best, and if for use near plants 

 that dislike lime, care should be taken to see that no 

 old mortar is adhering to the bricks before they are 

 crushed. I generally use of this stuff the siftings 

 through a half-inch sieve. 



I have already dealt with the manner in which I 

 constructed my little bog beds in Chppter II., merely 



