xlii INTRODUCTION. 



essential love and enthusiasm for flowers necessary to 

 engaging in the culture of these coy beauties from mak- 

 ing the attempt : they are worth fondling once or twice 

 in a lifetime, even at considerable pains and cost. 



These more difficult to manage alpine plants, along 

 with other subjects not alpine, but which require peculiar 

 treatment though hardy, such as Worm-grass, are usually 

 cultivated in pots and pits devoted to themselves ; and 

 while stock is limited, it is the safest and most success- 

 ful way to manage them. But rockwork is unquestion- 

 ably the most characteristic and interesting home for 

 such plants ; and if well constructed — that is, if so made 

 as to provide that perfection of drainage which is essen- 

 tial to alpines generally, along with good means to supply 

 moisture abundantly, but at will and always under con- 

 trol — the terrestrial circumstances are superior to those 

 they are under in pots ; and the nearest approach, indeed, 

 to their circumstances in nature that we can possibly 

 make, is thereby attained. 



The selection of a site for rockwork involves considera- 

 tions of taste and fitness for the object in view. Wher- 

 ever natural rockwork occurs in the scenery of a garden 

 or pleasure-grounds, it may be assumed that a little pre- 

 paration by the introduction of soil and Avater, if not 

 already provided for by natural circumstances, is all that 

 will be required of art to make it fit for the reception of 

 alpine plants. If. however, the rock should be subject 

 to drip or continual moisture at all seasons, it is not well 

 adapted to the culture of these plants in this country. 

 They will bear as much moisture in the growing season 

 as can well be supplied, if the drainage is sufficiently 

 perfect to prevent stagnation ; but when autumn and 



