RAISED BEDS AND ROCKERIES. 



49 



of their being planted boldly. That shown (10) in the design (page 47) is nearly 10 feet 

 in diameter, and is raised about 12 inches above the level of the lawn. In order to be 

 durable straight lengths of barked oak branches should be used, driving these into the 

 ground very firmly and closely together, leaning them outwards and affording a depth 

 of not less than 12 inches for soil. A top rail, made by splitting circular branches 

 and nailing them flat side downwards to the stakes, strengthens as well as adds to the 

 appearance of the supports. If circular branches cannot be had the stakes must be 

 squared neatly at the top and braced together by means of hoop iron taken round inside 

 and nailed to them. Should hazel, spruce, larch, or other stakes be substituted, the 

 lower part ought to be either charred or soaked in boiling tar or creosote. The weak 

 place is near the ground level or just where the stakes feel the efiects of both air and 

 water. If the bed is made in the form of an octagon, there will be no difiiculty 

 about the connecting top rail. Sometimes these raised beds have a wire trellising to 

 represent a handle put over them, and when this is covered with ivy (page 41), more 

 of this also trailing over the sides, the basket is ornamental at all times. Yases may 

 also be introduced in appropriate positions, as shown in the town garden on page 43. 



Eockeries for alpine and other suitable plants might, with advantage, be formed in 

 more small gardens than contain them at present. There are numbers of sparkling 

 gems that can be grown in these positions with so little trouble that when once a love 

 for this class of plants is engendered it soon communicates itself to visitors. All that 

 is needed at the outset is a solid bank of medium-sized to small stones, with perhaps 

 a few roots or stumps of trees interspersed, fixed informally over this. Where no 

 vines are grown in the greenhouse a rockery could be arranged in front of it (5 in 

 the plan, page 47), and this position answers well for alpine plants; there are also two 

 rockeries (7 7), one on each side of the pathway, 18 feet long by G wide, and about 

 18 inches high in the centre of the ridge. Selections of species and varieties of 

 rock plants and ferns will be duly forthcoming, as well as various cultural hints. 

 Climbers have been incidentally alluded to. These should never be starved at the 

 roots. Sunny house fronts may be greatly beautified, and the cooler, shadier ones in 

 a lesser degree, without any great cost — always provided good judgment is exercised 

 in the selection, and planting in a thoroughly well-made border. 



Much of what is to be done ought always to be decided before the commence- 

 ment of operations in forming a new garden. A well-thought-out plan simplifies 

 matters considerably, but additions and improvements are usually possible later on. 



VOL. I. H 



