CHAP. X.J 
MOSS-HOUSES. 
337 
terials for a natural rock-garden in ledges 
are therefore sandstone and limestone, the 
lines of stratification in which are chiefly 
horizontal, with occasional dips. 
It will be evident, from what has been 
said, that to make good rock-work, requires 
the eye of an artist; and it may be added, that 
rock-work should never be attempted with¬ 
out first making a coloured drawing of it on 
paper, or a small model, with a child’s box of 
bricks, or some similar materials, to try the 
effect. 
Moss-houses are interesting as garden build¬ 
ings, because they afford great scope to the 
exercise of the fancy; not only in the design 
for the entire building, but for the arrange¬ 
ment of the moss in different patterns. The 
first thing to be considered in carrying the 
design into execution, is the foundation; and 
this, if the soil be damp, should be dug out 
two feet deep, and nearly filled with con¬ 
crete. In this must be fixed the rustic pil¬ 
lars which are to support the roof; and these 
are generally composed of the trunks of 
young larches or spruce-firs with their bark 
on, which should be chosen as nearly as 
z 
