30 THE ENGLISH FLOWER GARDEN. 



red sandstone standing on end, or the blocks of 

 various formations heaped up together, with bits 

 of green glass, coarse coral, and big shells stuck 

 in at different corners, and with cement between 

 to keep all in place. 1 The rocks used should, if 

 possible, be the rocks of the country ; they should 

 appear to crop up from the soil ; and they should 

 be so laid that plants should really be able to 

 grow in their fissures and interstices. Scarcely 

 less important is the choice of a site, for if the 

 rock-garden is placed under the drip of trees it 

 is hopeless to expect that any of the more 

 delicate and beautiful Alpine plants can thrive. 

 Most ferns, on the other hand, will of course do 

 better in moist, shady places ; so that it is 

 impossible successfully to combine the Alpine 

 garden and the fernery, as is very often at- 

 tempted. Let the Alpine plants have sun and 

 light, and give the ferns the cool shade in which 

 they are most at home. Aquilegias and a few 



1 I have just seen the following hopeful advertisement : 

 "Rockery Ornaments. To be sold, 500 barrels of Conch Shells, 



in lots of one or more barrels, at extremely low prices. Apply 



to ," &c. &c. 



