ALPINE PLANTS. 89 
or crevices, where they can be fairly dry in 
winter and sheltered from the north and east 
winds. 
SEMPERVIVUM. A very interesting group, 
and may be grown on any rockery stone. 
If a patch of clay is used (which is the 
best thing), make the clay fairly moist, then 
lay it on the stone and dibble in the 
Sempervivum. They will soon take hold, 
and make a good clump. No cow manure 
must be added, though it is sometimes used 
for mixing with the clay. It has a tendency 
to breed grubs; then in the summer the 
birds pull out all the Sempervivum to get 
out the grubs. Consequently, the plants are 
all destroyed; by using pure clay this is 
avoided. They will soon spread over the 
clay, and make a fine display. 
SHORTIA GALACIFOLIA (JV. Carolina, &c.). 
A plant for partial shade, requiring abundance 
of moisture during the summer. It must 
not be planted in a stagnant place, but 
where the water freely escapes. It does 
well on the north-west side of the rockery. 
Strong fibrous loam, sand, and leaf-mould (the 
latter taking the place of peat); the fine should 
