THE SOIL 87 



soil is not of a gravelly nature, spread sand 

 and broken stones over it to the depth of 

 about 2 inches. This, when v^ell dug in, 

 about 18 inches deep, ought to give a good 

 material to w^ork on. Some plants will re- 

 quire an even lighter mixture, but it can 

 be prepared for them when they are being 

 planted. 



It is a fallacy, and I fear rather a popular 

 one, to imagine that alpines do not require 

 good soil. This may have arisen from the 

 fact that they are often found, and in a thriv- 

 ing condition, in places where apparently 

 other herbage could not exist. To a great 

 extent this is due to the deep-rooting powers 

 of the alpines, which enable them to obtain 

 moisture and nourishment in places where 

 other species of a more shallow-rooted nature 

 would soon die. 



But although these alpines require and 

 appreciate a good light soil, anything rich and 

 heavy is very detrimental, for, if they do not 

 damp ofF in wet weather, they will probably 

 run to leaf so much that the flowers will be 

 but sparse, and, in addition to this, the foliage 



