290 
THE LADIES' FLORAL CABINET. 
of cool water from the spring head after which it over- where it overflowed the rocks, and a water rockery was 
flowed and wasted in a swamp. Such was the condition the result. At the base of the rockery the earth was 
of tilings when I made the acquaintance of this farmer, excavated and a good-sized pool of water was obtained 
whose three daughters loved all that was beautiful in in which were planted the various kinds of Pond Lilies 
nature, and flowers were their particular weakness, and and on the margins some half aquatic plants. Turtles, 
a rockery their great desire ; but the matter-of-fact far- gold-fish, and fresh water craw-fish were placed in the 
mer could see neither profit nor pleasure in a heap of pool of water. From this pool an outlet was dug which 
stones. Obtaining his permission to construct a water led to a large pool or pond of standing water. This 
rockery in the front of his house, which I promised pond was thoroughly cleaned out to rid it of eels, water 
him should be built after the most approved plan, I snakes and snapping turtles, after which it was allowed 
went to work at it with the assistance of two of his farm to refill from the rockery and stocked with German 
hands. First, good sized masses of rock were piled up, carp. I did not see this rockeiy again for several years 
A Rockery. 
as shown in the illustration; these were securely 
fastened together with Portland cement; in the center 
two long flat pieces of rock were held in position by 
means of short joists; and these rocks, when secured 
in position, were carefully and bountifully covered with 
cement wherever they came in contact with the sides of 
the upright pieces. After the cement had set the joists 
were removed ; inside of these two flat pieces of rock 
a large and stout wooden box was fastened so that the 
top edge of its sides slightly extended above the upper 
edges of the horizontal flat rocks. From the lead pipe 
which led into the wash-house a new section of pipe 
was joined which was for the purpose of conveying a 
supply of water to the box contained in the rockery, 
after the expiration of my vacation, and would 
hardly have known it, so wonderfully improved was it, 
and as for the matter-of-fact farmer he was dreadfully 
proud of it. The rocks had become covered with 
various mosses, and in all the crevices the ladies had 
planted low growing native Ferns, Club Mosses and 
Pitcher Plants; over the rocks climbed the "Virginia 
Creeper and English Ivy, and at the base grew masses 
of Cat-tail Rushes, Sedges, Blue Flag and the Arrow¬ 
head Lily. The gold-fish had increased in numbers to a 
wonderful extent, and would come when called to be 
fed from the hand; and German carp, baked or fried, 
was a frequent dish on the farmer’s table. 
A. W. Roberts. 
