ROCKERY PLANTS 129 



this, however, makes for our good, because the best side of our 

 nature is being brought into prominence. There is one other 

 consideration worth mentioning, which is that when once our 

 rockery is formed the work associated with it is not laborious, but 

 light. This will not appeal to young, strong, healthy, energetic 

 people ; it will, however, do so to elderly and delicate folk, who 

 love flowers, but are unequal to the fatigue of general gardening. 

 And in this connection it may be pointed out that rock gardening 

 presents an almost ideal form of indulgence in the pleasures of 

 cultivating flowers for ladies, to whom 

 the delicate beauty and fragility of the 

 Alpine gems form a special appeal. 



Now for a few practical points in 

 connection with making and furnishing 

 rockeries, beginning with the stones. 

 In countries where chalk hills exist it 

 is generally possible to buy a form of 

 limestone called " rag." It varies in 

 hardness in different districts. Where 

 quite soft it is not suitable for the 

 purpose, as it crumbles quickly under 

 the influence of the weather. A limestone, however, that is 

 hard enough to require considerable force to break it up will do 

 very well. It may not be ideal stone, but it is quite suitable, 

 and persons of narrow means need not hesitate to use it. If pro- 

 curable locally it is very cheap. Sandstone is excellent for the 

 purpose in view. It is harder than " rag," but, as a rule, the cost 

 is greater. Derbyshire spar is splendid stone, and those who lay 

 themselves out for doing rock gardening thoroughly well, and are 

 not stinted for money, frequently employ it, buying it through one 

 of the nurserymen from whom they procure their plants. The 

 stone is cheap enough at the quarries, but the freightage frequently 

 makes the cost considerable. The advantage of buying the stone 



CONSTRUCTION OF ROCKERIES 

 Section of rockery against a wall. 



