Value of Sandstone Rock 



again, have neither " form nor comeliness," nor beauty 

 that the rock builder may desire, and are obviously 

 better suited to wall and house building. There are 

 .others of a thin, shaly character, which are only of ser- 

 vice as stepping-stones over water or for paved walks 

 whether in the rock garden or elsewhere. We have, 

 however, on occasion, seen such stones up-ended in the 

 rock garden, and while most incongruous looking, do 

 not admit of ornamentation. Most usually, almost 

 invariably, however, sandstone rock is to be regarded 

 as of a sympathetic nature to plant life, to which the 

 built sandstone walls of Cheshire, Worcester and War- 

 wick and the outcrop and unquarried rocks of many 

 parts bear abundant testimony. Plants of many diverse 

 kinds, Ferns, Mosses, Lichens, and others appear to 

 take kindly to it, and the fact is a valuable object lesson 

 to the rock gardener. 



The Red Sandstone. — As regards choice, however, I 

 should place the red sandstone first, that of the old red 

 sandstone formation more particularly by reason of its 

 rich, red warm hue, which contrasts so effectively with 

 vegetable life. From the standpoints of porosity and 

 coolness it is also good, while its exposed parts are 

 soon moulded and fashioned by wind and storm. The 

 sandstone of this formation is generally reliable, while 

 those of Sussex require a more intimate knowledge and 

 not a little selection. In these matters the quarrymen 

 on the spot are the best authorities. Some of the types 

 of Sussex sandstone are, to the stranger, of a deceptive 

 character, and because of their softness when freshly 

 quarried would be rejected. It not infrequently hap- 

 pens, however, that such as these harden considerably 

 by exposure and wear well. Others which, to the inex- 

 perienced, seem better, presently "fly" or crumble 

 under the action of frost. Hence the value of the 

 experience of those constantly working among them. 



Tufa and other Rocks.-— For outdoor work, the first- 

 named on the question of expense alone may at once be 

 dismissed. In the conservatory it is frequently pre- 



