xlvili INTRODUCTION. 



able difficulty experienced both out of doors and in 

 frames in keeping the silky-leaved Androsaces, and all 

 which like them have their leaves densely clothed with 

 down. They damp away to an alarming extent, often 

 while the utmost care is exercised in their treatment. 

 A dry airy position, along with the assiduous removal of 

 the damping parts, are the only preventive and cure 

 available. In low damp localities it will be necessary 

 to remove in winter to the protection of a dry airy 

 frame or pit all delicate subjects that there is any reason 

 to have anxiety for if left out of doors. 



Those who have no rockwork, and yet wish to cultivate 

 a few choice alpine flowers, may do so very successfully 

 in pots. Indeed, in very humid localities, it is often the 

 only practicable way of keeping them. Pits are not ab- 

 solutely necessary except in wet places when they are 

 grown in pots, though it is desirable to have them if 

 required. Their culture in pots is very interesting, and 

 brings the cultivator into more direct intimacy with his 

 subjects than when they are spread more promiscuously 

 and in greater independence over rockwork, and it ad- 

 mits of a better adaptation of the means, such as soil 

 and moisture, to individual requirements. As an offset 

 to these advantages, however, it must be acknowledged 

 that it is the most troublesome manner, but that will 

 not weigh heavily with those who have the requisite 

 enthusiasm, and are in circumstances favourable to 

 gratifying it. Generally speaking, the soil recommended 

 for the rockwork is also suitable for the plants in pots, 

 but even more gritty matter may be used with advan- 

 tage in pot culture. The same general observations 

 with regard to drainage and moisture apply with equal 



