ALPINE PLANTS. 85 
are put in their places, add a layer of white 
(fine) sand over the surface lin. thick, then 
give a good watering ; it settles the sand and 
prevents the air from getting directly to the 
roots for a few days. A top-dressing in the 
spring is very beneficial, in case the frost 
has lifted the plants out of the ground. If 
left in this exposed manner it will soon die, 
hence the need of top-dressing. A little 
bracken may be thrown over the crowns 
during winter, thus enabling them to with- 
stand the hardest frosts. 
SAXIFRAGA. I will only treat of a few of 
the rarer species and those requiring special 
treatment. S. Burseriana, S. Burseriana magor, 
S. Boydit alba (or Triplet), and S. Boydit. 
These want rather more care than the ordinary 
Aizoon varieties, and should be planted in a 
partially shady place (but must on no account 
be overhung by trees or branches to cause a 
drip), either between stones or on the level part 
of the higher portions of the rockery. Plant in 
loam and grit in equal parts; the fine should 
be sifted out of the compost before using it to 
plant. Burseriana major, | may say, is the 
most difficult to keep during the winter season. 
