1 6 Start Well 



The Stability of the Rocks. — In the constructive work 

 of the larger rock garden there is nothing of more vital 

 importance than stability. Conversely, there is nothing 

 so disastrous as shifting or settling rock. Such settling 

 is most likely to occur after heavy rains, and in those 

 instances where much fresh soil has been piled up or 

 where the bank soil is of a greasy, retentive nature. 

 In such cases, the result is not pleasant to contemplate. 

 It might seriously afifect the erection as a whole or in 

 part, and cause much otherwise unnecessary work. 

 Hence there is the need of starting from a solid foun- 

 dation (Fig. 5). In the majority of gardens a compara- 

 tively solid foundation can be obtained on gravel or 

 clay. In others, adequate safety may be assured by 

 sinking the larger rocks into firm, undisturbed soil. 

 The naturally endowed site, undiilated bank or rugged 

 picturesque slope is in a different relation altogether, 

 for the soil is already in position, and usually is stability 

 itself. Since s,tability, however, is materially affected 

 by the moisture-holding properties of the soil, and by 

 the rainfall, this phase of the subject should be con- 

 sidered in conjunction with that of drainage. 



Rook Building. — This constitutes the more serious 

 constructive work, and it is here that the most glaring 

 blunders are made. Writers on the subject repeatedly 

 urge the teachings of Nature without giving the be- 

 ginner in rock gardening the least idea of the good and 

 bad, so far as these pertain to our gardens. In Nature, 

 of course, everything is right, though it by no means 

 follows that all is alike suitable. For example, in 

 Nature we see great unquarried masses of rock that 

 for gardening purposes would be wholly unsuited — 

 which have, indeed, remained exposed for centuries, 

 perhaps, without attracting vegetation to themselves, 

 hence to copy and reproduce such would be a great 

 mistake. Moreover, it is not the unyoked savagery of 

 Nature that we require for our purpose, but her 

 choicest bits, those into which we can introduce the 

 exquisite inlaid jewellery of an alpine slope with every 



