ROCK GARDEN CONSTRUCTION 13 



the use of the artificial substitute is permissible, but 

 only in moderation. There are men quite capable of 

 imitating very closely the appearance of simple rock 

 forms, or indicating the strata lines in larger exposures. 

 But it must be clearly understood that the employment 

 of such material is only justified when it enables plants 

 to be grown to greater advantage ; the thoughtless 

 plastering of a large area of ground with lumps of 

 cement is a hindrance rather than encouragement to the 

 formation of a good Alpine garden. Whilst so many 

 rock plants will thrive on any well-exposed bank, or 

 even level ground, the use of stones cannot be regarded 

 as an absolute necessity. Therefore, unless they are 

 disposed in ;the best possible manner, it will be better 

 to do without them altogether. 



When starting the actual work of rock-garden con- 

 struction, one thought must be kept prominently in 

 view — the requirements of plant life take precedence 

 over considerations of the picturesque. For this reason, 

 it is the gardener, not the builder, who should arrange 

 the disposition of the rocks. The latter's aims are 

 fantastic, and he wishes his rockwork to look orna- 

 mental, even before a single plant has been established. 

 Before anything, the rock garden is a home for plants, 

 and the beauty afibrded by the stones themselves, 

 though not inconsiderable, is quite secondary. Granite 

 and limestone may be deeply interesting to the geologist, 

 but they are as nothing compared with the direct appeal 

 of the living plants. 



Elevation in rock gardens should always be obtained 

 by masses of earth, and not by stones piled one above 

 the other, with soil in the crevices. The foundation 

 of large banks may consist of brick ends, builders' 

 rubbish, and any convenient material, but above this 

 should be soil to the depth of at least two feet. 

 Too often we see flat rocks laid so as to form a series 



