INTRODUCTION. xlvii 



ing or the early morning, when they are out for a browse, 

 is the best time to look out for them. Wire-worms may 

 be caught by burying pieces of fresh-cut carrot or po- 

 tato in the ground in their haunts, fixing in each piece a 

 small stick, both to mark its place and aid in the daily 

 examination that should be made of their under surface 

 for the prey. Earth-worms may be treated liberally to 

 clear lime-water, which usually brings them to the sur- 

 face, when they may be gathered up and destroyed. The 

 worst evil they bring upon alpine plants where they 

 abound is that of destroying the desirable mechanical 

 condition of the soil ; and in the case of very small sub- 

 jects they occasionally unearth them altogether, or earth 

 them too much by piling up their casts about their tiny 

 growth. The presence of earth-worms to an inconve- 

 nient extent in rockwork, however, is a sign that the soil 

 is too rich, and not sufficiently abundant in sharp grit, 

 and the best remedy would therefore be renewal. Due 

 attention should of course be given to weeds, and the 

 removal of all that is unsightly or undesirable. Water 

 in abundance is of the utmost importance ; and whether 

 it is supplied by the hand or by means of the pipes 

 mentioned above, it should be without stint, but care- 

 fully applied, aiming at wetting the soil always, not the 

 plants, and avoiding dashing and splashing, which are 

 very injurious to small and delicate species. As autumn 

 and winter approach, and the majority of species will 

 have made and finished growth, it is necessary to with- 

 hold water by degrees, and wholly before winter finally 

 sets in. Everything should be done to induce early and 

 complete rest, and this is best accomplished by drawing 

 off the supplies of moisture betimes. There is consider- 



