CULTIVATION 163 



attempt to reproduce the conditions necessary 

 to induce alpines to become dormant during 

 the winter, as they are in their native homes, 

 all that can be done is to protect them from 

 undue moisture, and, as far as possible, from 

 sudden variations of temperature. This is 

 best achieved by covering them from about 

 November to April with sheets of glass. We 

 shall be amply repaid for the temporary dis- 

 figurement during these months by the healthy 

 appearance of the plants when the glass is 

 removed in April. This treatment is especially 

 necessary in the case of the Androsaces and 

 other woolly-leaved species, which, if left fully 

 exposed to the winter's damp, will be very 

 liable to disappear. It is, however, often very 

 difficult, owing to the adjacent rockwork, to 

 fix these panes of glass so as to prevent their 

 slipping or being knocked down by wind or 

 the midnight cat. If fitted in a regular frame 

 with legs, these will be sure to come in 

 contact with some rock, when it is a case 

 of either removing one of the legs or the 

 offending obstacle, neither of which is 

 desirable. 



