8o THE NEW GARDENING 



It is the dead-level area that may afford the most 

 food for consideration. Plant-growing on level ground 

 cannot, strictly speaking, be Alpine gardening at all ; 

 but by a judicious use of stones many beautiful plants 

 which are natives of Alpine regions may be grown 

 successfully on level ground. Contrary to general belief, 

 large, thick stones, like the great rectangular blocks 

 with which engineers build breakwaters, are not the 

 best for flat ground. The stones should likewise be flat. 

 It is true that it is an advantage if they vary a little in 

 thickness, because it is then possible to have some 

 pockets deeper than others, and to get longer shadows, 

 apart from the better effect of a slight unevenness of 

 outline. But on the whole comparatively thin stones 

 are the most appropriate for level ground. Sandstone 

 in pieces about two feet long, one and a half feet wide and 

 six inches thick, is very suitable. The stones will have 

 a general uniformity of shape, approximating to an oval, 

 but some of the pieces may be concave at one side, 

 and two such pieces with the concavities facing each 

 other will make nice pockets. In the first practice of 

 making rock-beds it is wise to get the assistance of a 

 man who has had experience. A few hours of co-operation 

 with him will teach valuable lessons to a quick-witted 

 and observant person. 



With a view to forming shady pockets some of the 

 stones should be set end-wise, and tilted at an obtuse 

 angle, with the apex towards the north-west. This 

 ensures that the hollow under the elevated tip will be 

 screened from the sun until near the setting, and will 

 consequently form a suitable nook for a plant which, 

 like the lovely little Primula rosea, loves shade and 

 moisture. Small rectangular spaces may also be made 

 for plants which, like the beautiful but wilful Eritrichium 



