IN CALIFORNIA 67 



them, is the position for a rockwork of the kind in 

 question. Here, concealed from all points by an in- 

 closure of shrubbery, or by an evergreen hedge, and 

 approached by a rustic pathway through a leafy 

 thicket, the rockery may be located without any vio- 

 lation of good taste or interference with other 

 and more ambitious features of a large and varied 

 garden. 



Border rockeries to fill up large or unsightly angles 

 of the residence or other buildings are somewhat 

 rare, owing largely to the fact that a majority of all 

 California houses are built of wood. Even in such 

 cases we may cheaply and safely provide against de- 

 cay and dampness. Build a background of rough 

 redwood, place narrow strips, for "furring" between 

 it and the house sides, and the clear and clean air- 

 space will keep the house dry and the paint un- 

 spoiled. Such provision was made in the case of 

 some of the border rockeries shown in our chapter 

 frontispiece, all of which were built by the author's 

 hands. 



WILD GARDENS 



If the author had a large suburban garden he 

 would have a natural or wild rock garden that would 

 be just a riot of rocks and dry garden plants that 

 would not be figuratively calling for water and care 

 during our hot summer. Rocks should be large, 

 small, on hills, banks, and flat ground, in holes, cor- 

 ners, nooks everywhere no orderliness or design 

 but just careless disposition no strained effects but 

 as near as possible to what nature would do with 

 them. One should get all the rocks he can use 

 and still have soil enough to give the scene a good 

 touch of plant life. 



For plants use any that will grow. Vile weeds 



