1878.] 



AND HORTICULTURIST. 



35 



poles. Thus it is on the Andes and Himalayas, 

 at an elevation of from 12,000 to 15,000 feet a 

 similar flora exists, and man}' species are identi- { 

 cal with those found in Central Europe at not 

 more than 4,000 to 0,000 feet elevation. And 

 these again have an agreement with those of 

 Lapland and Siberia on low mountain ranges, 

 or still farther north at the level of the sea. 



But in speaking of a collection of Alpine 

 plants it is not necessary to be confined within 

 such limits as this would impose. At the same 

 time a collection pure and simple from those 

 high latitudes would be of rare value, and em- 

 brace many of the most unique and interesting 

 productions in the vegetable kingdom. But no 

 violence could be done, or improper alliances 

 formed, by associating with these as many as are 

 diminutive in size whose natural habitats are 

 the mountains and meadows of more temperate 

 regions. Out of this larger field a fuller collec- 

 tion could be obtained, and the enjoyment of its 

 possession increased in a corresponding degree 

 by the great diversity of forms which it would 

 present; each and every one so distinct and 

 attractive as to keep awake his interest all the 

 year through. When Spring comes, and even 

 before the rigors of Winter have succumbed to 

 gales from the South, which blow softly, there 

 is an awakening in a full collection which tells 

 that in their native homes many flourish and 

 bloom, even up to the skirts of perpetual snow. 

 And thus there is an early beginning to the 

 floral year, which need suffer no abatement 

 on and down to its rounded close. 



In getting together such a collection, the first 

 move to be made is to collect as many as might 

 be deemed suitable in the neighborhood of home, 

 and at the same time add to these, as circum- 

 stances permit, the most approved varieties of 

 other parts of the country. This would necessi- 

 tate excursions to the woods, the meadows, and 

 the sea-shore, from all of which places materials 

 could be gathered every way fitted to satisfy the 

 craving of the true naturalist. The South and 

 West also would contribute of their riches; and 

 if what could be got in this way did not suffice, 

 thousands more may be had in Europe at reason- 

 able rates, culled from many of the most 

 interesting families. Primulacere alone would 

 make an interesting groun, emljracing as it does 

 a goodly number of the most beautiful plants in 

 cultivation. Not alone is Primula rich in species 

 but Aretia, Androsace, Soldanella, Cyclamens, 

 &c., are equally so, and all fitted to fill no mean 



place in every collection. Saxifragacete, too, 

 as has been well said, "constitute the glory and 

 delight of the cultivator of Alpine Plants." 

 And although inferior to the Primrose family in 

 the beauty of their flowers, they more than rival 

 them in the diversity and evergreen character of 

 their leaves. But any attempt to give a list of all 

 that is worthy cannot be done here, as it would 

 be incomplete without the enumeration of many 

 hundreds ; and therefore it would be better for 

 those who wish to embark in the enterprise to 

 communicate with those nurserymen and florists 

 who now happily devote a portion of their time 

 to this most interesting department of plant 

 culture. 



In the cultivation of these plants various 

 methods have been resorted to with a fair degree 

 of success. The free-growing varieties do well 

 planted in front lines in herbaceous borders, 

 while the more delicate species do better in pots, 

 when they can be conveniently placed in pits or 

 frames during the Winter months. But for a 

 large proportion of those that are peifactly 

 hardy, small compartments or beds for each 

 species, divided b}' tile or slate set on edge, and 

 i-aised several inches above the ground level, is 

 the most satisfactory way of any, as it not only 

 prevents the diff"erent sorts from running 

 together, but the beds can be raised above the 

 genei'al level to suit those that delight in dry 

 situations. But whichever method is adopted 

 care should be taken to supply the various 

 species with a suitable compost in which to 

 grow. And this is not hard of accomplishment, 

 as the overwhelming majority delight in a mix- 

 ture of peat or leaf mould, loam and sand. 



The interest in the collection would be greatly 

 enhanced by the whole being arranged on some 

 intelligible plan ; and there is none belter, per- 

 haps, than that pointed out in the Natural System 

 of Botany. According to this method, all those 

 of a family would be brought together, at once 

 showing their relationships, and also their specific 

 diff'erences. But we have seen fine collections 

 arranged simply in lines according to height, 

 color, and times of flowering, which, when coi'- 

 rectly named and properly cared for, afford both 

 pleasure and instruction. 



LAWNS. 



IJY N. F. FLITTON, WAVERLY, MD. 



It is conceded on all hands that a good lawn, 

 well kept, is one of those adornments which 

 ought to ))e more frequently seen. 



