FOUNDATION-LAYING 25 



upon it, it is very important to think the thing 

 out first, and then act, rather than to reverse the 

 process, and thus build in haste and repent at 

 leisure. Such work must have both the semblance 

 and reality of permanence : any suggestion of 

 fragility makes the whole thing ridiculous. If you 

 dare not, having reared your structure, clamber 

 freely about it, for fear of bringing it all down, your 

 work is inadequate, and no matter how delicately 

 you may tread as you pass by it, and speak in bated 

 breath, it will not bear the test of time, and some 

 day, after an extra shower of rain or a more than 

 usually strenuous cat-fight, the whole thing will 

 be found collapsed, a mere ruin, a byword and 

 a reproach. 



Picturesque old pieces of tree-roots may be some- 

 times advantageously blended with the rock-work. 

 They are not only pleasing in themselves, but they 

 form a welcome home for some kinds of ferns and 

 other plants, and as they slowly decay away, 

 give valuable nutriment as well. No part of the 

 permanent structure, it is evident, must have as its 

 foundation or support a tree-trunk that will of 

 necessity presently break up. 



In making out our rock-garden it is advisable 

 to commence operations by setting out a good 

 foundation row of stones of goodly bulk in such 

 variation of ground-line as commends itself to us. 

 The back may then be filled up a foot or so with 



