CHAPTER XVI 



EASY ROCK AND WALL GARDENING 



" The stems are faithful to the root 

 That worketh out of view, 

 And to the rock the root adheres 

 In every fibre true." 



A ROCK-GARDEN, even in a simple way, is a great joy, and 

 there is no reason why we should not try to possess one 

 even in a town or in the suburbs. Writers in the best 

 horticultural papersare sometimes a little discouraging ; they 

 tell us that the rock-garden near a house is out of place, 

 and that it should never be made near trees, nor buildings, 

 nor any other objects, but stand apart in stony isolation ; 

 they also tell us by no means to make a rockery ourselves, 

 any more than we should try to mend a broken limb 

 without the doctor : we are to call in an experienced 

 garden-artist blessed with good taste, a knowledge of rocks, 

 and the requirements of Alpine plants. 



No doubt, the owners of large grounds and long purses 

 will do well to take this advice, but people must cut their 

 coats according to their cloth, and no one who does not 

 mind taking a little trouble need despair. It is not so 

 very difficult a matter to build a home for, and to get 

 together, a pretty collection of Alpine and other rock- 

 plants. One's pains are well repaid, for no class of 

 growing things is more interesting ; besides this, we shall 

 be in the fashion. 



In our own garden, which I have said before is not a 



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