PROPAGATION OF ALPINE PLANTS 59 
Always see that the insides of seed pans and pots are 
quite clean and dry before use. A dirty pan or pot is not 
conducive to healthy growth. 
With these few brief instructions upon the main features 
of propagation I must perforce content myself, and trust 
my readers will be content. To enter closely into the whole 
subject of propagation of alpine plants would necessitate 
dealing individually with family by family and sometimes 
genus, species and variety, for very many plants have little 
peculiarities that involve particular treatment, but I take 
it most of the readers of this humble work will be anxious 
rather to make a beginning with the simpler phases of alpine 
plant culture and the easier kinds of plants than to experi- 
ment with the rarities and most difficult among this extensive 
family. 
With an insight into the general principles of good cultiva- 
tion, the start may be made with confidence, and step by 
step the novice will gain experience and knowledge that will 
lead on to success and along the pathway which all must 
tread who would aspire to the title of expert. 
