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ROCKS AND ROCK-PLANTS. 
In treating of this subject in a recent paper, we confined our observations 
solely to the advantages of rock work in the culture of plants in the open air. As 
a supplement to the remarks then offered, we now proceed to suggest the 
propriety and utility of introducing a similar feature to the conservatory and 
stove. 
We know the idea has been scouted by some of those who are wedded to the 
stiff, formal, and monotonous arrangement of plants which prevailed some years 
ago, and still exists to a partial extent ; urging as their plea, that the adoption of 
any such plan would be totally at variance with a formal building. From this 
view of the matter we entirely dissent ; and, happily, the principle upon which it 
rests, is quite at variance with the practice in other points of most of the best 
cultivators of the present day. In the decoration of houses, and the treatment of 
plants individually, there is a very general reversion of the old system ; and the 
aim is now — not to render the plants of a character with the regular architectural 
symmetry of the house, by training with harsh regularity, and tying in all the 
shoots with even exactitude ; but just the converse — to divest the structure as far 
as possible of its stiffness, by permitting its inmates to retain more of the loose and 
flowing elegance of nature. 
Under this treatment, more of the real character of a species is developed ; 
plants are awarded to the peculiar situations and purposes for which they are best 
fitted by their respective habits ; a more extensive variety is furnished, and they 
are exempted from that restrained, tortured appearance, which so largely diminishes 
the pleasure of viewing even what are in themselves most beautiful things. In 
fine, the original design of conservatories and greenhouses has undergone an 
extensive alteration, — from being merely places devoted to the . preservation of 
tender plants, they are now expected to afford a combination of good cultivation 
and tasteful arrangement. 
Embracing this idea then, of the internal arrangement of floricultural erections, 
we can see nothing objectional in the proposal to add a species of rockery that 
may enable plants to appear more at home, and enjoy a nearer approximation to 
the stations in which nature has fitted them to flourish, and display themselves in 
the most attractive light. It is, in fact, the dictation of the same principle. 
It is almost needless to observe, that rockeries will be most practicable and 
appropriate in the larger class of buildings, particularly in conservatories where 
there are no plants grown in pots, or they are only admitted to a subordinate 
extent. Their construction in small houses, must always be in some measure 
governed by local circumstances, and the particular plan of other arrangements ; 
the utmost extent to which they can be consistently carried, is, in surrounding a 
VOL. XII. — NO. CXXXVII1. S 
