IN AN ALPINE GARDEN 145 



a plant upon a rock or amongst a pile of stones, 

 but that it begins with the very foundations of the 

 rockwork. It may be seen how the natural 

 character of the site has been adapted ; how the 

 artificial rockeries have been constructed ; how 

 carefully every aspect has been built up ; how 

 thoughtfully every crack and crevice has been 

 used ; how every slope, every hollow, every pocket, 

 has a meaning ; and, above all, how perfectly the 

 drainage has been maintained throughout. For 

 the purpose of noting these things, an early visit 

 (say towards the beginning of June) is often of 

 great advantage. At that season the gardeners 

 may be caught busily reconstructing the older 

 portions of the rockeries and ridding them of deep- 

 seated weeds : for all is not select even in Alpine 

 refinement. Such occasions will afford striking 

 instance of the methodical work which rockwork- 

 building is when understood. To be noted, too, 

 is the class of rock or rocks it is desirable to employ. 

 No clinkers, flints, tiles, glazed bricks, broken 

 china, or large sea-shells will here be found : for 

 these 'beautifying' constituents of many an English 

 rockwork are taboo. Here is purely a 'business 

 concern.' Nor, for that reason, does it lack hi 

 beauty. Quite the reverse : it is too realistic to be 



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