ARRANGEMENT OF A GARDEN WALL
SELECTION AND ARRANGEMENT OF GARDEN WALL MATERIALS Care should be taken that the stones are large enough and are laid in such a way that the prevailing lines in the walls are horizontal, not curves, verticals, or diagonal lines. The wall will then have the appearance of solidity and the ability to stand by itself without the aid of mortar. In fact, if the stones are large enough and the wall is made thick enough the mortar can really be dispensed with, and interesting effects achieved by the use of vines and rock plants in the crevices. In general a dry wall of this type, either free standing or as a retaining wall, should be no more than 4 or S feet high and at least 24 inches thick at the top. Make the bottom somewhat thicker for the sake of stability. If you intend to plant such a wall with rock plants; take care to fill all cracks and crevices generously with rich soil as the wall is laid up and to maintain a contact between the ground and the vein of soil among the rocks so that it will not dry out too readily. Chinking the crevices in such a wall with small stone chips is not advisable except where necessary to hold the wall stones in place.