LEGUMINOS^. 97 



work or in the open border. They succeed best in Hght rich 

 loam, but thrive well in most garden-soils, unless exceedingly 

 stiff and wet. None of them like frequent removals, and when 

 doing well they should not be frequently disturbed. Propagate 

 by division, by cuttings when they can be got, and by seed ; 

 but division is in some cases not a very safe process ; therefore, 

 if cuttings cannot be had, seed should be preferred, and they 

 are produced in such abundance usually as to meet any 

 ordinary demand of increase. 



A. alpinus, syn. Phaca alpina {Alpifie Milk- Vetch), — This is 

 a very distinct species. It is prostrate, with branching stems 

 clothed with pinnate hairy leaves ; the flowers, in short dense 

 racemes, on which they droop from apex to base, are bluish 

 purple, sometimes tipped with white, and appear throughout 

 the summer. It is decidedly an alpine plant, and thrives best 

 on rockwork in cultivation. It is a native of North Britain, 

 but rare, being found only on the Clova and Braemar moun- 

 tains, but it is more common on the mountains of central and 

 northern Europe and western Asia. 



A. hypoglottis {Purple Milk- Vetch). — This is a very dwarf 

 prostrate plant, with slightly-spreading stems clothed with pin- 

 nate leaves somewhat hairy. The flowers are pale or bluish 

 purple, in short head-like spikes on slender prostrate footstalks, 

 and appear in summer. It succeeds best on rockwork, but in 

 dry light soil it may also be cuUivated in the mixed border 

 where the drainage is good. Native of Europe, Asia, and 

 North America. There is a white variety well worthy of 

 a place as a companion and contrast to the species. 



A. leontinus {Lion's-tail Milk -Vetch). — This is somewhat 

 more luxuriant and robust in growth than the last, but still 

 prostrate. The leaves are of the same character, but more 

 hairy. The flowers are cream-coloured, in dense prostrate 

 spikes. They appear in May and June. It succeeds in any 

 tolerably sunny position in the border or rockwork. Native of 

 the Alps of Austria. 



A. monspessulanus {Montpelier Afilk- Vetch). — This is perhaps 

 the most ornamental of all the Milk-Vetches we have in culti- 

 vation. It rarely rises more than 9 inches above ground, and 

 it presents a very neat dressy appearance throughout the sum- 

 mer. The branches are almost prostrate at the base, and are 

 clothed with handsome, hairy, pinnate leaves. The flowers, in 

 dense prostrate racemes, are bright reddish purple, and appear in 

 June, July, and August. It is a choice plant, and succeeds well 

 in either border or rockwork, and there is an important white- 

 flowered variety. Native of central and southern Europe. 



G 



