HILLSIDE GARDENS 
201 
Where there is a choice of a weathered side, turn it uppermost, for 
it will blend much more naturally into the prevailing tone and 
general composition. 
Remember, a rock pile is not a Rock Garden. 
In designing the slope, certain artificiality may be avoided by 
using curved walks that disappear around a clump of low shrubs, i n f 0 rnaltty 
or winding paths that entice one to explore their length. Straight 
lines or geometrical shapes give that formality which is generally 
undesirable. 
Winding paths and irregular outlines suggest hidden treasures 
around their curves. One may come upon an unexpected dry- 
wall, massed with bloom, the secret of the successful construction 
of which lies largely in tilting or tipping the stones, as they are 
laid in alternate layers of dry earth (composed of two-thirds sandy- Walls 
loam to one-third peat) so tightly packed into the crevices that 
no air-pocket can remain, tilted a bit to let water drain into the 
soil rather than off the wall; and in taking care that the thickness 
of the base is at least one-third the finished, or total height of the 
wall. Such a wall is most useful and effective as a retaining wall for 
the different levels or terraces, especially useful when a pool is 
excavated from level ground. Planted, even overplanted for surer 
life of desired specimens, when in the process of construction, such 
a wall will be a continual joy. 
Of utmost importance, though too often neglected, are those 
little paths that thread the garden, particularly the hillside garden. 
When they are wide enough to insure easy motion, they lure one Paths 
to explore them. When the stuff of which they are made blends in 
color and texture with the general scheme of planting, and with 
the materials of which the building is constructed, they tone in 
as a component part of a perfect unit. There is great diversity both 
in the shades and in the materials, which offer one a wide range 
of choice, from the shiny jet-black of coal; through the duski¬ 
ness of cinders, and certain crushed stones; the blue-greys or tones 
of red-browns in various kinds of stone; the tan of gravel, to 
the clear white of cement. Brick or tile also may be had in prac¬ 
tically any color desired. Cement may be colored, or slate secured in 
