ROCK GARDENING 71 



national vacation time; we flock to the mountains and sea-shore, 

 where rocky land is often prominent; and finally, labour is costlier 

 here than in Europe. 



But the cheapest and most permanent way to beautify rocky land 

 is not to plant flowers at all. Instead, we should plant trees, shrubs, 

 and vines. These will hold the soil, add to it, give grateful shade 

 and cool greenery, and last a lifetime. A thousand pitch pine 

 seedlings can be collected for twelve dollars. The fitting vines for 

 decorating or obscuring rocks are Virginia creeper, bittersweet, and 

 wild clematis. Among the most precious bushes for rocky land 

 are bayberry, sweet fern, and fragrant sumach, all of which have 

 deliciously scented foliage, so refreshing on a hot day. I need not 

 enumerate a great list, for we have an infallible principle to guide us. 

 Find out every kind of tree and bush that grows wild on your 

 rocky land and in the neighbourhood. Multiply these in every way 

 and make them the bulk of the planting. Gather seeds and make 

 a little nursery of your own. Put soil into every bare pocket. 

 Plant trees wherever there is soil enough to justify the effort. Do 

 not as the people of Nahant, who, amid the ruggedest scenery on 

 the Atlantic coast make lawns and plant cannas, but do as the 

 Misses Loring have done at Pride's Crossing, Mass. Develop the 

 native wildness of the place until it has the richest and most 

 romantic beauty. 



And to give the crowning touch to picturesque rock scenery we 

 must use certain little plants like Kenilworth ivy, wall pepper, and 

 New Zealand moss, which have a genius for filling every chink, es- 

 pecially under foot. For these plants give the effect of age, obscure 

 freshly cut surfaces, round off sharp corners, and constantly excite 

 wonder and delight by transforming a mere trowelful of dust into 

 a soft green cushion, pleasant and yielding to the foot. 



