THE ROCK GARDEN 155 



or, what comes to the same thing, by sinking 

 its floor below the general level. 



It is not necessary to be lavish of rocks. In 

 a well-designed rock garden the soil should 

 bulk at least as largely as the rocks. 



Position The rock garden should be as 

 far removed from a formal environment as 

 possible. It is, or should be, our best attempt 

 to imitate a piece of nature. If it is associated 

 with walls, greenhouses, or other artificial 

 surroundings the illusion falls to pieces. It is 

 better also to keep it away from the neigh- 

 bourhood of trees, whose roots would find their 

 way into the soil and exhaust it, and whose 

 leaves in autumn would sadly litter its surface. 

 Moreover, it is well to be consistent in our 

 mimicry, and to remember that the landscape 

 is innocent of trees at the altitude where alpine 

 flowers thrive best. 



Aspect The above conditions being satis- 

 fied, the only other one of importance is that 

 the alpine garden should have a sunny aspect, 

 though this does not imply that every part 

 must enjoy full sun; nor would that be desirable, 

 since there are plants which will thrive all the 

 better in shade or partial shade. 



