INTRODUCTION. xlix 



force to the one case as to the other. A dry Hght posi- 

 tion should be selected for the pit or bed in which the 

 pots are to be kept. The pit should be shallow and 

 narrow, about 4 feet wide, and be provided with a con- 

 crete bottom, so as to prevent worms taking possession 

 of the plunging material, and thence finding their way 

 into the pots, and a good drain should pass along the 

 bottom. Various plunging materials may be used, but 

 the best are gritty clean river or pit sand and sifted coal- 

 ashes ; the former is best, being cleanest and most easily 

 worked, and, from its lighter colour, is not so apt to cause 

 scorching under bright sunshine. The pots should be 

 plunged to the rims, and in plunging it is advisable to 

 put such as require any peculiarity of treatment, such as 

 a little shading, by themselves, so as to simplify the 

 means and management. The winter management of 

 the pit consists in keeping it freely aired at all times — 

 the lights, in fact, should never be put on but for the 

 purpose of excluding rain and snow ; in keeping a con- 

 stant watch for and removing all damping portions ; and 

 in keeping up a state of general cleanliness and comfort. 

 In summer and autumn the lights may be put on 

 according to circumstances, for the exclusion of heavy 

 rains in protracted wet weather ; but air should be freely 

 admitted at all times by lifting the lights at the highest 

 part if they cannot be taken off. 



If only a bed in the open air can be afforded for culti- 

 vating alpine flowers in pots, the cultivator may find it 

 necessary on experience to forego certain of the more 

 unmanageable species which are peculiarly liable to 

 damping off in winter ; but many beautiful and choice 

 species may be successfully cultivated in that way. For 



