xllv INTRODUCTION. 



in which it is to be placed suggests to the mind, as well 

 as by the means at disposal both for construction and 

 after-furnishing and keeping. The materials required are 

 earth and stones, and of the two the first is the most 

 important. Very {q\v alpine plants, be they ever so tiny, 

 can subsist on impenetrable rock, — they like to cling to 

 it if it is surrounded by or contains in its fissures suffi- 

 cient soil and moisture to support them ; but, in forming 

 an artificial home for them, the principal use of stone is 

 to provide drainage and give character to the design. 

 The stone used should be porous. Generally speaking, 

 stratified rock is best, and the rougher the grit the 

 better ; but granite and the like is quite fit for the pur- 

 pose. The soil, as before said, is most important, and 

 should be composed of peat and loam, and a very large 

 proportion of sand and gritty matter. Such a compost 

 will be congenial to the majority of alpines, and the few 

 that require peculiar soil must be provided for specially 

 in the positions they are to occupy. The mass of the 

 erection should be composed of the compost mingled 

 with small angular stones in order to keep it open, and 

 the larger stones be disposed of by being buried to a 

 greater or less depth on the surface in a natural manner. 

 The large stones may be placed wide apart or closely, 

 and there should be as much diversity in this respect, 

 and in the various heights to which they rise above the 

 surface, as will secure every variety of position for the 

 plants. Some will be found to require partial shade, and 

 should therefore be planted at the base of the more 

 towering rocks. Some prefer hugging the rocks with 

 their roots, and should find a place in the narrowest 

 fissures. Others, and they are the largest number, sue- 



