90 ALPINE PLANTS. 
be taken out of the loam before mixing with the 
leaf-mould and sand. A top-dressing twice a 
year is most essential: leaf-mould and loam, 
mixing the loam in a finer state than used 
for planting. The compost must be worked 
well up to the crowns with the hand, then 
press firmly down so as not to leave any of 
the roots uncovered, as it is purely a surface- 
rooting plant. After the spring top-dressing 
it must be well watered, to settle the soil 
well among the foliage, so that the dry winds 
do not blow it away. If watering can 
possibly be done during the summer (that is, 
in dry weather), a good soaking every 
morning should be _ given—not a_ surface 
sprinkling, as this mode of watering is 
detrimental to all plant life. If it cannot 
be watered thoroughly do not water at all. 
SILENE ACAULIS AND VARIETIES are all 
sun-loving plants. They require very poor 
soil, otherwise they make too much soft 
growth in the summer, which gets cut off 
when the winter comes. They do _ well 
wedged between stones in the crevices; full 
south. S. Eiizabethe. Another plant which 
requires a sunny place, wedged tightly between 
