THE ROCK GARDEN 121 



" Alpine Garden " was brought out. From that 

 moment the cult of the diminutive gems of mountain 

 herbage was established, and we have been trying 

 ever since, with varying measure of success, to 

 bring the spoils of the high Alps to the level 

 of the plains. In one famous garden, now a good 

 many years ago, there were in fact miniature moun- 

 tains where the lower rocks and their vegetation 

 gradually merged into snow-capped summits, simu- 

 lated by the silvery growth of antennaria and other 

 minute hoary-leaved plants. But without aspiring 

 to emulate Nature in these her grandest moods, 

 we may venture to observe and follow her methods, 

 and to adapt where we cannot imitate. 



One reason why rock-work of any kind appeals 

 to us so strongly is not only that it affords 

 vantage ground for the smaller and more deli- 

 cate plants, many of which are supremely beautiful, 

 but also because it brings them closer to the eye 

 where their perfections can be enjoyed with com- 

 fort. Strictly speaking, the rock garden is associ- 

 ated only with the cultivation of mountain plants. 

 In common speech, however, the word " Alpine " 

 is most frequently used, except by the expert, to 

 mean any plant of moderate growth which is more 

 suited by height and habit to a raised position 

 than for the level border; and this definition may 

 fairly stand in relation to the ordinary English gar- 

 den. Few people except the most ardent enthusiasts, 

 like Mr Farrer, the owner of that delightful York- 

 shire Alpinery of which he gives so charming a 

 history in " My Rock Garden," could undertake 

 or indeed find any inspiration in the minute and 



