INTRODUCTION. 
cochlearis) seem to contain, like Mrs. Elton, such abundant 
resources in themselves as to be indifferent whether there be 
much or little lime in their soil. On either hand, then, they are 
safe. With confessed or apparent lime-haters, however, the 
problems offered are very nice. Campanula alpestris is their type; 
yet even this species, so apparently calcifuge in nature, accepts 
a certain amount of lime in the garden. The amount tolerated, 
indeed, is infinitesimal, but seems to be increasing as the plant 
develops a new cultural constitution ; while varying conditions 
in varying gardens will certainly cause the tolerated amount to 
vary, in accordance with hygrographic and other laws as yet 
unmapped. At the same time, many are the naturally calcifuge 
species, which in the changed circumstances of the garden are 
quite indifferent as to whether there be lime—and abundant lime 
too—in their soil; and, indeed, it is only the most difficult even of 
granitic plants that give the cultivator any trouble in the matter. 
Hints of this capacity for tolerance, in altered ways of life, may 
readily be found in nature; typical, and notoriously inexorable 
lime-haters on the Alps are Eritrichium and Primula hirsuta, 
yet Eritrichium certainly seems to have a lime-loving form, while 
Primula hirsuta, though frail and pinched in habit, may be seen 
(in sites significantly more saxatile than usual), wedged fast into 
the white limestone cliffs of the Grigna. Variations in the other 
direction are, I think, much rarer: plants that have the habit 
of lime seem to develop a more incurable craving. Yet even in 
‘nature I have once (and only once) seen a non-calcicole tuft (very 
pale and sickly) of the universally calcareous Potentilla mitida, 
on the dark granitic rocks of Torsoleto, while in cultivation the 
plant seems easily pleased with itself, no matter what its soil. 
Therefore, if one says such and such a species is never found on 
lime or on granite, one must use “ never” most carefully, in 
Mary Crawford’s sense of “hardly ever.” A rule is none 
the less valid, however, for having its rare exceptions; and culti- 
vators will take no harm by following nature’s indications as far 
as lime-hating plants are concerned. The taming of such to lime, 
and the ascertaining how much of it in each garden each may 
xlii 
