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ON ROCKERIES AND ALPINE PLANTS. 
plete rockery is intended to be formed, — should be situated in a retired and 
concealed part of the pleasure-grounds, where it can be approached suddenly. 
This is of great importance, as the effect produced will be considerably diminished 
if it can be seen from a distance ; for, as its most striking features would thus 
unfold themselves gradually, the interest they create will have in a great measure 
subsided by the time the whole is brought into view. Besides, as the emotions 
first excited by landscape scenery are very generally permanent, the very fact of 
its being visible from a distance is calculated to produce an unfavourable impres- 
sion ; whereas, if it were so contrived as to exhibit the whole or the principal part 
of its beauty at the first gaze, it would ever afterwards be regarded as an object of 
peculiar interest. 
Water is an indispensable feature in all rock-work, and whether it be employed 
in the form of cascades, jets-d'eau, fountains, or only pools, contributes greatly to 
enhance the general effect. In extensive groups, any or all of the above forms 
may be exhibited with propriety, but the cascade is not available in smaller collec- 
tions ; and even in large ones, unless the ground on which the rockery is constructed 
presents a steep declivity, it cannot be judiciously introduced, and should give 
place to a small and circuitous stream. "Where practicable, the rockery should 
always be formed in a low part of the garden, to admit of its being supplied with 
any required quantity of water from a reservoir placed in a more elevated situation. 
By a little contrivance, likewise, the water may be turned on or off at pleasure, 
and the supply may thus be greatly economized, particularly wdien water is scarce, 
as the whole of the apparatus may easily be set in motion on the approach of a 
visitor, and at all other times its exhibition will be needless. 
Much of the appearance of a rockery depends upon the disposition of the surface 
of the ground upon which it is formed. A piece of ground of an oval, oblong, or 
any irregular figure, will answer the purpose perfectly well ; but it should be so 
disposed as to be hollow in the centre, with irregular sloping banks all round, 
deeply undulated on the surface, and with two or three openings for views of any 
other interesting objects that may be contiguous, or for entrances. Into the centre 
of such a spot, a pond of water might be most appropriately introduced, round the 
margin of which, portions of rock might be made to project oyer the water, and 
some smaller pieces might likewise be placed in the middle of the pond, to form 
the base of a fountain. Nearly opposite to the point from which the whole is 
viewed, a small stream of water may be made to rush down by an irregular and 
winding route between rugged and massive pieces of rock ; and if a few dolphins 
or other interesting figures are placed at intervals throughout the whole group, 
near the margin of the pond, and contrived so as to spout water in different 
directions, or even if water is propelled from small apertures in pipes made for the 
purpose, and the whole of these are brought into action at the same time, their 
combined effect will be truly enchanting, particularly when the sun is shining on 
it. A pipe may be introduced into the pond for carrying off all the superfluous 
