228 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



of the soil. The whole site was staked out ready for this meeting, in 

 order to show the stream, paths, and tracks. 



On sinking the trial holes, it was found there was about two feet of 

 good soil on top, with a stiff, yellowish sand beneath, to a considerable 

 depth. The water-supply was fully discussed at this meeting, and 

 Messrs. Pulham were asked to prepare the scheme they proposed for 

 this more in detail. With the sub-committee's concurrence, however, 

 they modified their first suggestion in some of its details; for instance, 

 instead of pumping the water from the lower ponds, and allowing it to 

 fall back there, it was decided that, in view of the watering that would 

 have to be done in connexion with the rock garden, an independent 

 supply was necessary. This was found in a well in the lowest part of 

 the grounds, which had once been used to supply the gardens with 

 water, and, although it had been discarded for some years, it was 

 scarcely likely to fail,- as the water stands level with the river running 

 near. Perhaps, as the proposal was carried out, it will be best for me 

 to finish this part of the subject by describing, briefly, the modus 

 operandi. 



A small, picturesque, heather-thatched building was erected over 

 the well, and in it was laid down a petrol engine attached to a pump 

 connected with the water, to lift and force it through a pipe up to 

 the highest part of the rock garden, where a brick and concrete circular 

 reservoir of several thousand gallons' capacity was constructed, below 

 the ground level, to be concealed later by a belt of shrubs. From this 

 reservoir the water flows over the principal waterfall, and so down the 

 stream into the pools below. It is proposed to keep it fully charged 

 during the season, so that during the hours Fellows usually visit the 

 gardens the engine can be working and water may be running over the 

 falls. Provision has also been made for the tank to empty itself about 

 half-way down in case it may sometimes be necessary to run water over 

 the falls at a time when, for any reason the engine is not working. Tn 

 such a contingency, the top portion of the principal fall is silent, 

 otherwise the effect is the same. Along the line of the supply pipe 

 junctions are fixed, with stand pipes for hose attachments, which will 

 be used for watering purposes, a very desirable acquisition, particularly 

 in dry weather. 



Having, I hope, fully explained this part of the work, I will now 

 revert to the general scheme. As there was necessarily a considerable 

 amount of ground-work to be carried out, and soil to be moved, a tram- 

 way was laid on the site, the ground cleared, and the rough turf taken 

 off and laid aside to rot. All suitable soil was stored near by ready to 

 place the rocks in, and for reinstatement as top soil after. The whole 

 site was then roughly shaped, the paths and stream excavated, and the 

 undulations formed in the rough. 



In making the excavations, some land drains were found, whicli 

 were all conducted into the stream at the nearest point. 



As may be judged, the ground-work occupied some considerable 

 time, during which a supply of rock stone was being imported and 



