Part I. HARD Y AQUA TIC PLANTS. 6 7 



good as the hose. It may, however, be worth adopting for one 

 spot in which Qentiana bavarica and other plants that hke 

 abundant moisture are planted. Whatever system be adopted, 

 the rule should be : Never water unless you thoroughly saturate 

 the soil, say with from one and a half to two inches deep of water 

 over the whole surface. As a rule, ambitious, wall-like, erect 

 masses of rockwork require half a dozen times as much water as 

 those constructed on a proper principle with plenty of soil so 

 arranged that it is saturated by the rains. Indeed, nothing but 

 ceaseless watering could preserve plants in a healthy state on the 

 rockwork commonly made. As regards the time of watering, it is 

 a matter of very little importance, though for convenience' sake 

 it is better not done in the heat of the day. The really im- 

 portant point is to see that it is equably and thoroughly done. 



As to soil, the great majority of alpine plants will flourish in 

 one composed of three-fourths good loam and one-fourth mixed 

 peat and sand or peat and grit. In a word, ordinary light 

 garden soil, or what is called sandy loam, will suit them per- 

 fectly. But a particular kind of soil is required in special in- 

 stances. Rhododendron Chamcscistus, for example, likes lime- 

 stone ; Spigelia marilandica and Rhexia virginica I have seen 

 attain full health only in peat. The soil suitable for each plant 

 is given under its name in the second part of the book. As to 

 the kind of rocks and stones to be employed in the formation 

 of the rock-garden, almost any sort will do ; selecting, however, 

 as much as possible only one kind, in the largest masses, and in 

 the most worn and " natural-looking " condition. 



Hardy Aquatic Plants. — As ornamental water and aquatic 

 plants are often intimately associated with rockworks, something 

 requires to be said of the most desirable water-plants. 



A great deal of beauty may be added to the -margins, and here 

 and there to the surface, of ornamental water, by the use of a 

 good collection of hardy aquatics arranged with some taste, but, 

 so far as I have seen, this has not yet been fairly attempted by 

 any designer of a garden or piece of water. Usually you see the 

 same monotonous vegetation all round the margin if the soil be 

 rich ; in some cases, where the bottom is of gravel, there is little 

 or no vegetation, but an unbroken ugly line of washed earth 

 between wind and water. In others, water-plants accumulate till 

 they are a nuisance and an eyesore — I do not mean the sub- 

 merged plants like Anacharis, but such as the Water Lily, when 



