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THE FLOWER GROWER'S GUIDE. 



used, but are out of place in a rock garden. The most desirable materials for 

 rockwork that shall be both pleasing in appearance and suitable for plants, are stratified 

 rocks or stones, found in layers of variable thickness, just as deposited in the form of 

 sediment. Among these are comprised limestone, sandstone, and oolite formations; 

 the two first-named proving the best for use in a rock garden. The igneous rocks are 

 not found in strata, as these are the outcome of heat and upheavals, and assume a 

 variety of forms. 



Very large stones are not the most desirable for providing healthy homes for alpine 



Pig. 47. Di-vEESiriED Eockeey foe Alpines and Feens. 



and other plants; medium-sized to small stones are, moreover, the easiest to 

 manipulate. Collect as many as possible before commencing to arrange them — a far 

 better plan than using them as they are collected. Have in readiness also a large 

 heap of smaller pieces of limestone, for mixing with the soil ; failing this, pieces of 

 granite, sandstone, or other rock obtainable, but the first-named best suits the 

 majority of alpine plants. Ordinary garden soil rarely suffices for these plants, and 

 a suitable mixture of peat, leaf-soil, fibrous loam, sand, and old mortar rubbish must 

 be provided for them ; also the planting may often be advantageously proceeded with 



