Gardening for Amateurs 



soil behind, proceeding in a similar way 

 until the work is completed, A simpler plan, 

 and one especially suited to a small rockery, 

 is to make the mound of soil roughly of the 

 shape and height desired, and then to arrange 

 the stones as may be required. The earth 

 should be made thoroughly firm between 

 the stones ; many plants are lost owing to tho 



Section of small rockery on sloping ground ; the site of the path is 

 shown at a. The stones are embedded firmly, and slope inwards. 



soil shrinking and leaving crevices in which 

 the roots perish. The former method of 

 building is the better one where good stones 

 are available, but in some cases it is necessary 

 to combine the two plans and to work as 



the construction proceeds in the most con- 

 venient manner. A good bulk of soil is 

 desirable, but it should be well drained 

 underneath, and on stiff subsoils it is neces- 

 sary to put a layer of drainage 

 beneath the rockery. If a 

 drain is laid it can be led into 

 a small artificial bog or little 

 pool a pleasing addition even 

 to the smallest rock garden. 



Any attempt at elaborate 

 effect should be avoided. 

 Many structures are spoilt by 

 unnecessary peaks and pro- 

 montories. Boldness and sim- 

 plicity rather than elaborate 

 design should be the aim, ever 

 keeping in view the principle 

 that the rockery is intended 

 for growing plants. There 

 should be plenty of room between the rocks 

 for the plants, and every " pocket " or 

 space in which the less easy kinds are 

 grown ought to have drainage. 



In forming the rockery due consideration 



A pretty little rockery built on flat ground. 



