8 ALPINE PLANTS. 
(South Italy). This charming and early- 
flowering species is of very easy cultivation. It 
does well facing full south, and, like the pre- 
ceding, requires sandy soil, but if a little 
limestone could be added the plant would 
greatly benefit thereby. This species has a 
habit of rusting and the foliage turning 
brown in the early part of the autumn, and 
is often thought to be dead or in a dying 
state. To prevent this it must be  top- 
dressed, as soon as it has done flowering, 
with a mixture of grit and _ leaf-mould 
worked among the shoots. It will begin to 
grow freely, and soon repay the labour ex- 
pended. 
ACIPHYLLA SQUARROSA (New Zealand). 
This is a very quaint and interesting plant, and 
very useful for large rockeries where it can 
be planted on an elevated place between 
stones. Where this can be carried out it is 
a most imposing feature, with its long, spiny 
foliage. It must be kept free from any damp 
during the winter season ; full south position, 
sheltered from the north and east. When 
planted it should be tilted on one side, so 
that the rain does not rest in the axils of 
