252 



Gardens for Small Country Houses. 



and water garden is seen in Fig. 376, but such a conception can only be carried 

 out where there is a good stream. With a little forethought in planning and 

 construction, however, a wonderful illusion of spaciousness may be produced in a 

 small area. 



As to paths in the rock garden, the best form is that seen in Fig. 381, but it 

 is somewhat expensive to make. It is, however, one with the garden, and is beautiful 

 in itself, not a hideous and anomalous intrusion, as is the common gravel path. 

 A paved path, as in Fig. 382, is another good type. Fig. 369 shows what may 

 be called ' land stepping-stones." The slabs of stone which form the path, 

 instead of being let in flush with the surface of the soil, are left projecting some eight 



FIG. 382. A ROUGH PAVED PATH. 



or nine inches. The interspaces are filled with dwarf flowers, and thus one may walk 

 over a veritable sea of blossom without so much as damaging a petal. Failing the 

 rocky or stone path, the best kind is of grass. In many respects it is more natural 

 than any other kind, and serves as a setting to the rocks and their vegetation. The 

 amount of labour entailed is somewhat heavy, and care should be taken that no rock 

 is placed within six inches of the verge of the grass, otherwise the edges will need to 

 be trimmed by hand. 



Where the garden lies on a slope it may be terraced, the terraces being supported 

 by retaining walls of rock, preferably constructed of large unhewn blocks after the 

 manner described in Chapter XII. The secret of success is to have a thick layer 



