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THE PRACTICAL GARDENER. 



flower garden, neither are they found to succeed well if 

 planted out. 



It is seldom attempted to give a natural effect in laying out 

 rock-works, the design of them being generally merely for the 

 better cultivation of plants which grow naturally upon elevated 

 situations, and are liable to be destroyed when mingled with 

 the larger and more hardy species in the flower borders. In 

 choosing the situation for a rock or Alpine garden, it is important 

 that it be exposed to a free circulation of air, and contain- 

 ing, either naturally or artificially, portions fully exposed to 

 the sun, as well as others completely shaded, and if a small 

 rill of clear water can be brought through it, it will add to 

 its advantages. The plants entering into this sort of garden, 

 depend for support more upon a pure air than upon richness 

 or depth of soil. Sometimes situations naturally occur, where 

 objects or situations in themselves uninteresting and even 

 offensive, may with little trouble be brought to become the 

 reverse ; such, for instance, as an old stone-quarry, chalk-pit, 

 &c. : these might be converted into rock gardens of more than 

 common interest. Where an imitation at natural rocks is not 

 attempted (and this we would not recommend unless natural 

 circumstances are very favorable, and great taste displayed in 

 the erection,) a rock or Alpine garden may be made very 

 pleasing by merely elevating the borders to a convenient height, 

 and covering them with rude stones, blocks of over-burnt 

 bricks, flints. Sec, interspersed with a few specimens of petri- 

 factions, rock crystals, spars, &c., or any curious or interesting 

 specimens of mineral substances that may be most conveniently 

 procured, between which the most curious and rare Alpine 

 .plants will succeed, if planted in a stratum of soil congenial 

 to their several natures. In planting rock-plants, some atten- 

 tion ought to be paid to the disposing of them, so that such as 

 Azalia procumbens, Dryas octopelala, and all the Helian- 

 themxnn family should be as much exposed to the sun as pos- 

 sible ; while all plants belonging to Cryptogamia, such as 

 ferns, mosses, &c., should be placed in the shade. The soil 

 in which most Alpine plants will succeed is generally of the 

 most primitive nature, such as heath or peat-mould, sand, or 



