40 ALPINE PLANTS. 
hard fibrous peat, leaf-mould, and grit in equal 
parts ; this should be broken up fine and put 
through a tin. sieve; then use a fine sieve to 
take out the dust. Add a little sand to what 
remains in the sieve and mix well together. 
This makes a capital compost and _ suits 
it better than anything I have _ tried. 
The roots are almost like silk and require 
something fine to work into. A_ stone 
should be laid in a slanting position, inclining 
downwards towards the bank; place a layer 
of compost on the stone, then lay the plant 
on, adding more compost to cover the 
roots well over. Then place on the top stone, 
pressing firmly down; care should be taken 
not to bring the stone over the plant—just 
leave room for the soil to show between the 
stone and plant, taking care to leave 
the neck of the plant free, adding more 
compost behind the stones; then add another 
flat stone on the top half tft. from the 
plant. This may be allowed to hang over 
a few inches. The top stone should be so 
arranged as to carry the water direct to the 
roots of the plant; with a little care this 
can be managed so that no water need ever 
