A SOURCE OF DELIGHT AND INTEREST 17 
with growing alpines by one or other of the various methods 
described in this book. 
Indeed, it is my desire and aim to give particular en- 
couragement to the keen amateur gardener of modest 
- means and restricted scope by clearly emphasizing the 
fact that with nothing more than a bed of well-dug and 
nourished soil, the drainage and texture of which may 
be improved by the incorporation of coarse sand, grit, 
lime-rubble or burnt earth and wood ashes, he may succeed 
in growing a comprehensive collection of the freer- 
growing alpines with no more than a few bits of porous 
stone against which the many kinds that hanker after a 
rocky stronghold may nestle and thus defy the scorching 
of our summer’s sun heat. Furthermore, with such a 
bed judiciously planted so that the smallest and closest- 
growing kinds may not become overrun and smothered 
by the rampant trailers, the Alpine plantsman may enjoy 
a greater variety of form and blossom and a more extended 
season of interest than he could obtain from any other 
form of gardening that lies within his scope. If it seems 
that I repeat this claim to advantage on behalf of my 
favourites my plea shall be, is this not an advantage well 
worthy of reiteration ? 
