THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE OF AMERICA. 
63 
A QUICKLY DEVELOPED ROCK GARDEN. 
""pHE rock garden shown in the illustration, of Alder- 
maston Court, Berkshire, England, is only two years 
old, but gives the impression of having existed for a much 
longer period. It lies in a hollow, and at the bottom is a 
charming little pool, filled by a cascade which leaps and 
tumbles down the sides of the rockwork. The way to the 
bottom is down steps, in the cranies of which Alpines 
have established themselves ; the stepping-stone looks 
as though it would last until the end of time, so 
solid and massive does it appear. Several plants have 
found the surface of this stone cool and agreeable, and 
have encroached upon it in considerable colonies. The 
more to seclude this charming spot, the rock garden 
is surrounded by a belt of flowering shrubs, including 
Spiraea arguta, S. Bumalda, S. Thunbergii, Buddleia 
Veitchii, Daphne mezereum and D. m. album, and 
many other attractive species. One corner is planted 
entirely with Brooms, of which Cytisus albus, C. An- 
dreanus, and C. praecox are the chief kinds. Down 
below, the rucks standing about the pool are planted 
with innumerable little water-loving plants. In the 
water itself Nymphaeas grow, such as Nymphaea 
chromatella, N. albida, N. carnea. and N. rosea ; and 
skirting the pool, beautiful Ferns hide in the crevices, 
notably Blechnum spicant, Polystichums of many 
kinds, Lastrea cristata, the graceful Osmunda gracilis, 
and beautiful forms of Scolopendrium. By the water- 
side, their stems just standing in the marshy edge of 
the pond, Gunnera scabra, Senecio chvorum, and 
Lythrum Salicaria flourish ; Spiraeas rise tall and 
graceful from the brink, and groups of stately Irises 
mirror themselves in the water at their feet. — From 
Gardeners' Chronicle (English). 
Reproduced from Gardeners 1 Chronicle (English). 
ROCK GARDEN AT ALDERMASTON COURT, BER 
DRY-WALL GARDENS. 
A PART from an extensive rock garden nothing 
creates greater pleasure than a dry wall planted 
with rock plants, writes Thomas Smith in The Garden. 
The occupants simply revel in these conditions, losses are 
rare, expansion is healthv and prodigal, upkeep is neither 
great nor laborious, and the floral effect transcends 
efforts that in other directions are often more costly. 
Then, the actual work of creating such a garden is well 
within the scope of everyone who delights in laving out 
and arranging their own garden. The best constructive 
material is stone, although with a good stone for plant 
life should neither be too hard nor too soft, the latter es- 
pecially being avoided, as it is sure to disintegrate under 
the action of frost. If the edges are fairlv square, so 
much the better, as then the stone is easy to lay. and it 
enables copious ledges and joints to be arranged with 
ease and certainty. It is important to observe, in laving 
the stones, that the edge buried in the wall should be 
slightly lower than the exposed edge ; in this way water 
striking the face will percolate behind to the roots. A 
KSHIRE, ENGLAND, HOME OF C. E. KEYSER, M.A., J. P. 
wall built on this system recedes sharply away from the 
ground level. The incline or "batter'-' in this case may be 
as much as 6 inches in every foot of height obtained. In 
an upright wall the set-back or "batter" need only be 2 
inches to every foot of height. 
The wall built on the ledge system commends itself 
most for arid countries. Whatever type is selected, the 
stones should be laid firmly, the joints be carefully filled 
with soil, and all vacant spaces behind filled up and 
made thoroughly firm as building proceeds. The soil 
used should be a good loam, with plenty of grit and a 
quantity of old crushed mortar rubble or chalk added, 
as practically all free-growing alpines will grow in this 
compost, the most notable exception I can call to mind 
at the moment being Lithospermum prostratum. 
Planting should take place when building. In this way 
larger plants can be used, and it enables the roots to be 
carried well back into the soil behind. These should not 
be huddled up, but be spread out to their fullest c i lacitv, 
so that a large body of soil is thus open for their activi- 
ties. — The Garden Magazine (English). 
