THE WISLEY EOCK AND WATER GARDEN. 



231 



bestow. This constitutes all the difference between success and 

 failure. 



But to return to Wisley. There are no concrete edges visible here ; 

 in fact, it is difficult to discern that the stream is concreted at all. In 

 various places the edge has been kept low, so that the water can find 

 its way over when the stream is full, forming boggy beds at the sides 

 for the benefit of the moisture-loving plants which thrive so well in 

 such situations. In the total length there are twelve small waterfalls, 

 care being taken that no two should be alike in form or appearance. 

 In constructing these falls, a certain amount of special cement, of the 

 same colour and texture as the stone, was used; for stone, if piled up, 

 however carefully, would not withstand the weight of water, and in 

 consequence would soon be washed away. This cement is brought 

 right up to the edge where the water comes over, and, by a special 

 process, is joined to each stone forming the fall, thus conducting the 

 water over properly, 'it finding no other way out behind or beneath, a 

 not infrequent occurrence with falls improperly constructed. By this 

 means none of the water is wasted, and a maximum and picturesque 

 display is obtained over each fall. The lowest fall (fig. 79) empties 

 into the ponds between a Gunnera and a group of Osmundas forming 

 quite a natural feature. Fig. 79 is from a photograph taken during the 

 construction of the work, and fig. 80 — from the same positions — quite 

 recently, showing more planting about it. 



As far as it was possible, consistent with stability, the rocks around 

 this part were placed in the bank without disturbing the growth more 

 than was absolutely necessary, and, as a matter of fact, very few plants 

 or shrubs were removed or interfered with around or near these ponds. 



In excavating the ground, it was discovered in one or two places 

 that the bank was constantly damp. Advantage was taken of this to 

 make special provision for Eamondias (fig. 81) and other moisture- 

 loving alpines. I succeeded in obtaining a photograph of two of these 

 last October, and, though they were only planted during the previous 

 summer, they appear to be quite at home. Here are Ramondia pyren- 

 aica and R. Nathalie; at the side is Shortia galacijolia, while near by is 

 a fine specimen of the silver variegated Chinese Juniper. Close by 

 too are Edelweiss, and Saxifraga longifolia, Queen of Saxifrages, 

 planted on its side to prevent water setthng in the crown. Erinus 

 alpinus albus is in a crevice between two overhanging rocks, where it 

 seems to have taken a good hold. In a season or two these should 

 produce very effective corners. 



In the carrying out of the work, a cavern for filmy ferns was intro- 

 duced. It was not shown on the plan, or included in the original 

 scheme, but was suggested by a member of the Council during a visit 

 to the site after the work was commenced. It was a meeting of the 

 Garden Committee, and the member in question, observing one or two 

 land drains that had been recently unearthed, suggested that they 

 might be utilized in this manner. These pipes apparently conducted 

 the water from a spring higher up the bank, as during two dry seasons 



