THE NEW ROCK GARDENING 81 



nanum, like sunshine, but must be covered with glass 

 in winter to throw off rain. 



What reason is there why such rocky beds and borders 

 should not be made in thousands of gardens ? The culture 

 of Alpines has become identified in the public mind with 

 elevated sites, however artificial or incongruous, and 

 with large stones, at once expensive and awkward, 

 with the result that rock plants are either cultivated 

 under unnatural, costly and laborious conditions, or else 

 eschewed entirely. Under the influence of an unfortunate 

 delusion people throw up mounds which are obviously 

 artificial, and which, whatever the stones and plants 

 that may be put on them, never have a natural appear- 

 ance. When, however, as is often the case, the " stones " 

 are merely calcined burrs, and the plants a mixture of 

 hardy and tender, dwarf and tall, we get a hideous 

 monstrosity. We survey the former with melancholy, 

 the latter with irritation. 



There is nothing more in keeping with a rectangular 

 house than rock beds or borders in which flattish stones 

 prevail. They harmonize with the angles of the building. 

 If it be a stone house, or a brick house rough-casted, 

 the harmony will be the more complete. Many a small 

 country house, many a villa, many a suburban dwelling, 

 which is now choked up with coarse Laurels or Aucubas 

 planted near ; or which is hemmed in by herbaceous 

 borders that are entirely bare for several months in the 

 year and obstruct the view for the remainder many 

 such homes could be made brighter and more interesting 

 if rock borders were put beside them. The front of a 

 lawn, facing the main door or windows, is an excellent 

 place for a rock border. The stones, rising but a foot 

 or two above the level of the grass, will permit what- 

 ever beautiful background there may be to be seen, and 

 F 



