The ideal rock-garden is a shaded ravine with plenty of rocks, a brook if possible, and a light, sandy soil impregnated with decomposed limestone 
Rock-gardens and How to Make Them 
BY G. A. W O O L S O N 
Photographs by H. H. Swift, M. D. 
T HE successful rock-garden is one in which its maker simulates 
natural environment so far as he can. The ideal rock- 
garden is a shaded ravine, replete with rocks and a brook. Glades 
of this sort however, whether natural or artificial, are for the 
favored minority only. The majority has to content itself with far 
simpler gardens; but a small rock-garden, if judiciously placed, 
will afford more pleasure in proportion to time spent and space 
occupied than one can obtain from almost any other sort. 
Partial shade is imperative. In the absence of trees or shrub¬ 
bery, a shaded retreat may be effected with vines alone; and for 
this purpose there is nothing better than the Virginia Creeper 
(Ampelopsis quinquefolia). An alcove formed by buildings that 
cut off the brunt of the sunshine may answer very well in lieu of 
tree or vine. 
In the selection of rocks, most of us 
have to take what we can get; given a 
choice, sandstone and calcareous rocks 
are preferable. Freshly quarried stone 
of any kind should never be used; the 
more weather-beaten the better for the place assigned. Noth¬ 
ing can surpass the picturesque quality of a bit of old limestone 
in process of disintegration. Occasionally one sees a giant cob¬ 
blestone landed high and dry on a pretentious lawn — just a bald 
impenetrable mass without seam or depression wherein any kind 
of plant-life could gain a foothold. Rocks which are of no 
possible use and are devoid of beauty are out of place on any lawn. 
Rock-plants in general require light, sandy soil, impregnated 
with decomposed limestone. If this is not at hand, a mixture of 
old mortar or brick rubbish will answer. Certain species, however, 
thrive best in leaf-mold, black and beautiful. 
Whatever form is adopted for a rock-garden see to it that there 
is a soil connection through every pocket and crevice with the earth 
beneath, and that the top soil is firmed 
down to it, otherwise capillary attraction 
will have no better chance of keeping the 
earth damp than in an undrained flower¬ 
pot. This is a fundamental principle 
on which successful rock-work depends. 
Ferns, of course, belong unmistakably to 
the rock-garden, and violets too 
Is your garden soil full of large stones ? Rake 
them out and construct a rock-garden 
Give the delicate Foam Flower a corner in 
the rock-garden’s base 
(i94) 
