THE ROCK GARDEN 123 



many a dainty little Alpine flourished in that gar- 

 den which I have not since found it, in more 

 favoured places and at lower altitudes, so easy to 

 cultivate. 



Before starting on the subject of the different 

 types of rock garden, let me give a word of warning 

 against " rooteries," which are only a shade less 

 objectionable than clinker ies. A certain pictur- 

 esqueness is the only advantage that can be con- 

 ceded to root-work, except that of cheapness ; while 

 the continual annoyances arising from the harbour- 

 age given, by decaying wood, to destructive fungi 

 and noxious animals, to say nothing of prospective 

 collapse of the whole structure, are too formidable 

 to face for a temporary convenience. 



The simplest form, perhaps, of rock-work is the 

 rock bed, where big boulders or blocks of stone 

 of various shapes and sizes are so sunk as to ap- 

 pear to crop up naturally from the surface. Such 

 a rock bed may be either on the flat or on the 

 slope, but, in any case, the ground must be dug 

 out to a depth of at least two feet, to make a solid 

 foundation upon which the stones can rest without 

 fear of being undermined by frost or superabundant 

 rain. Into this hollow suitable soil must be 

 thoroughly well packed after the stones are care- 

 fully placed. These arranged at irregular heights 

 and in groups as much as possible according to 

 nature, should give the effect of a bit of rock- 

 strewn moor or hillside adapted to a garden. Such 

 a rock bed with suitable planting of low-growing 

 shrubs, like the prostrate savin (Juniper) or some 

 of the dwarfer brooms, cistus or heaths on the 



