A dictionary of modern gardening - University Library

ROC 507 ROC
ground with a thicket, which shall idable, which might otherwise have
cease, or be lowered, as it descends, been unnoticed. A steep, in itself not
A thicket, on other occasions, makes very remarkable, becomes alarming
the rocks which rise out of it seem when a path is carried aslant up the
larger than they are. If they stand side. A rail, on the brow of a pcrpenupon
a bank overspread with shrubs, dicular fall, shows that the lieii'lit is
their beginning is at the least uncertain,
and the presumption is that they
start from the bottom.
" Another use of this brushy under-
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,
wood is, to conceal the fragments and
rubbish which have fallen from the
sides and the brow, and which are
often unsightly.
" Rocks are seldom remarkable for
frequented and dangerous; and a cor
mon foot-bridge, thrown over a cleft
between rocks, has a still stronger
effect. In all these instances the imagination
immediately transports the
spectator to the spot, and suggests the
dea of looking down such a depth ; in
the Inst that depth is a chasm, and the
situation is directly over it.
the
too
elegance
vast and
of their foVms; they are
too rude to pretend to to
'If the body of the rock is intended
be raised much above the ground
delicacy; but their shapes are often level, a quantity of soil and rulibish
agreeable, and we can affect those should be carried into the centre of the
shapes to a certain degree—at least s[)ace. This soil, besides serving to
we can cover many blemishes in them support the rockwork, will also form a
by conducting the growth of shrubby border for the plants to grow in. Havand
creeping plants about them. For ing at hand plenty of large rough stones,
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all these purposes mere underwood broken bricks, or stony rubbish of any
suffices ; but for greater effects larger kind or colour, proceed with
trees are requisite. They are worthy imitate the form of natural
of the scene, and not only improve- nearly
these to
rock as
as possible. Rough, bold, anments
but accessions to its grandeur, gular projections, and deeply-formed
We arc used to rank them among the chasms, are the principal features in
noblest objects of nature ; and when natural scenery which please us most,
we see that they cannot aspire to the A rock, with a flat unbroken surface,
,
midway of the heights round them, the [
whether horizontal or perpendicular,
rocks are raised by the comparison. A presents too much sameness to be pleas-
.
,
single tree is, therefore, often prefera- ing to the eye: therefore, in imitating
ble to a clump ; the size, though really nature, the projections should be varied
less, is more remarkable; and clumps and bold, and unless raggedness and
are, besides, generally exceptionable, intricacy form principal features in its
in a very wild spot, from the suspicion composition, it will lose much of its
of art which attends them. But a wood effect. If the rock-work be on a large
is free from that suspicion ; and its own scale, it should not be one continued
character i of greatness recommends it to line,
but broken at intervals, in one part
every scene of magnificence lost beneath the surface of the earth,
" On the same principle, all the con- and again rising in another part ] and
sideration which can be should be given resuming its sinuous lorm.
to the streams. No number of little " So far there is little difference be-
rills are equal to one broad river; and, tween this and the common method of
in the principal current, some varieties making artificial rock. When, how-
may be sacrificed to importance. But ever, every stone has been arranged to
a degree of strength should always be suit the eye, the interstices between
preserved. The water, though it iieeds them are to be filled up with any kind
not be furious, must not be dull ; for of rough mortar. Of course fissures,
dignity, when most serene, is not lan- and similar places intended for the
guid and space ; will hardly atone for plants which are to cover the rock,
want of animation.
must be left open, so that the roots may
"Inhabitants furnish frequent oppor- penetrate to the soil beneath the stones
tunities to strengthen the appearances j
of force by giving intimations of danger, i
A house placed at the edge of a preci- !
pice—any building on the pinnacle of a |
crag—makes that situation seem form- \
next operation is to daub the whole
The
mass over with Roman cement. For
this purpose the latter should be mixed
with water until it is of the consistence
of thick paint, in which state it may be