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THE FLOWER GROWER'S GUIDE. 



small reservoir, located on high ground, formality in either case being easily avoided 

 with the aid of stones of various sizes. EocWork may be formed quite in the open, 

 for the accommodation of sun-loving alpine plants, or in partially shaded places, more 

 especially when ferns are to be extensively planted. Where there are sunken walks 

 or drives, the banks on the upper side, if there is any difference, afford admirable oppor- 

 tunities for grouping large stones at different spots, much as though they were un- 

 earthed during the process of excavation. In those positions, such free-growing plants 

 as ivies in variety, periwinkles (vincas), St. John's- worts (hypericums), gaultherias, and 



Fig. 46. Infoemal Rocky Mounds. 



others of a similar nature, would be more appropriate than alpines, though open sites 

 might be found for some of these also. Here and there large stones peeping out of 

 the turf on a bank look most natural, these coming between the groups of rocks. 



Whether rockeries shall be large or small ought also to depend upon circumstances. 

 For instance, it would be obviously unwise to attempt anything on a large scale with 

 only enough stones available for a comparatively small group ; and certainly a large 

 rockery should not be formed if it is not intended to quickly occupy it with a variety 

 of suitable plants, though it should be remembered that an overcrowded rockery is not 

 nearly so effective as one in which each plant is kept clear of its neighbour, and the 



