1 62 GARDENING FOR BEGINNERS 



the depth of an inch with soil; and the second course laid in 

 a similar manner to that already described, each subsequent 

 course being similarly treated until the requisite height is 

 gained. The inclination or " batter " given to the wall is 

 readily measured by driving in one or more stakes per- 

 pendicular with the front projection of the bottom course ; 

 then, by placing a set-square to these stakes at intervals of a 

 foot, one can measure to a nicety the inclination obtained. 

 The brick wall illustrated is built with i-inch batter to every 

 foot of height obtained, and while the results have been quite 

 good, yet, regarded from the standpoint of the practical 

 cultivator, we put this as the extreme minimum, and would 

 double this batter when at all possible. 



The planting of dry walls should take place concurrently 

 with building, as this admits of larger plants being employed, 

 and, the roots being spread out into the soil behind, lay hold 

 and the plants become established in a very short time. It is 

 also a good system to have a rough plan prepared of the main 

 groupings contemplated, particularly with reference to the 

 colours, as then mistakes are less likely to occur ; moreover, 

 a well-thought-out system of planting, in which due recogni- 

 tion is given to the diversity of plant growth, is always more 

 satisfactory as a composition than that obtained by haphazard 

 planting. Rooted cuttings and seedlings are the most suitable 

 methods for planting dry walls already in existence, while a 

 large number of plants may be introduced by means of seed. 



The best time to make and plant a dry wall is during early 

 spring, as then growth is most active, and the plants having a 

 full season before them become thoroughly established and 

 capable of withstanding the utmost rigours of winter. It is 

 always in terrace gardens where dry walls reach their highest ; 

 in such they may be interpolated so as to overcome the most 

 awkward slope. 



DRY WALLS IN WINTER 



The two illustrations of the same place are from photo- 

 graphs taken in November, the second a year later than the 

 first. The bank was considered beyond garden cultivation 

 and was famous for its Thistles. Books were read and plans 

 of dry-walling studied, but they gave little help, for in them 

 the stones were always right in shape and size ; only reality 

 could teach one what a handicap the only procurable stones of 

 the neighbourhood might be. It is a true test of workmanship 



