156 
THE FLORISTS JOURNAL. 
on a bank of leaf mould, for the culture of such plants as affect 
that kind of decayed vegetable matter. When a complete collec¬ 
tion of hardy plants is intended to be made, all such beds or 
stations are requisite. The heaps of stones and logs not being 
beautiful objects in themselves, are always, or should be always, 
kept subordinate, and not be too conspicuous among the more 
beautiful and dressy parts of the garden. Any recess or corner, 
which may be visited at pleasure, is usually chosen for such 
features, rather than obtruding them on the visitor’s notice. 
And yet vockevies have been made principal featuies in flower 
gardens ; sometimes by accident, that is, when rocks happened 
to abound on the spot; but more frequently by design, and 
formed at a great expense. But after all, sucli a principal 
feature in a flower-garden can hardly be called good taste. 
When splendid architecture and magnificent exotics are seen at 
the same instant with a brow of rude mountain scenery, cohered 
with the wildest native plants, it is assuredly a most incongruous 
association. The contrast is too extreme ; for though both yield 
pleasurable ideas separately, they cannot be united with propriety. 
If a rocky dell can be added as an appendage to a flower-garden, 
it is a happy adjunct, especially if the path to the principal part 
leads through it ; but there should be a strong line of separation. 
Rock-wcrk, wherever intended to be formed, should always be 
constructed with one kind of stone ; not, as usually seen, made up 
of petrifactions of building bricks from kilns,—scoria from forges, 
— flints from lime-works, &c. altogether a bad rubbish-like 
assemblage, and as a work of art quite contemptible. But when 
stone is used and laid in horizontal strata, as it probabl} lay in 
its native bed, it has an artistical look, and the interstices answei 
well for reception of the plants. 
Boot-work is built on a mound of earth like rock-work, and 
laid together as irregularly as possible. The plants, whether roots 
or seeds, are inserted in the openings, or in any clefts 01 cavities 
of the blocks. The British orchidaceae generally do well in such 
situations ; and as the genera and species are pietty numerous, 
they form an interesting association. The wood-sorrel, v r ood- 
anemone, wood-ruffe, &c. are particularly well suited for root- 
work ; and many other plants, both annual and perennial, may be 
made to embellish and thrive on the decaying blocks ; among 
which the British ferns should always have a place. 
