70 ALPINE PLANTS 
watching the habits and growth of his plants, and care- 
fully noting the results of experiments, he will make progress 
that will spur him on to attempt greater things, and will 
doubtless add from time to time to his collection some 
of the choicer kinds that require more skilful management. 
Such is the hobby or occupation of cultivating Alpine 
plants, from the smallest beginnings we may progress step 
by step, acquiring knowledge and finding soul-satisfying 
enjoyment all along the way, and never coming to a stage 
of finality or a point beyond which further effort is futile, 
or further progress impossible. 
Whilst it would be quite impracticable to attempt to 
describe individually every species and variety of plant 
which may claim to be embraced by our comprehensive 
title, it is hoped that in this and the succeeding chapter 
will be found an ample selection of plants for all seasons, 
all situations, and all tastes, and whatever may be said of 
plants omitted, it may at least be said that nothing has 
been included that is unworthy of space in the lists, or 
that will not prove useful in some, if not in all, gardens. 
Ac#NA.—First in alphabetical precedence, and first in 
most hardy plant catalogues, the Acenas, of which there 
are a dozen or more species and varieties, are decidedly 
pretty, and useful. The foliage is always described as 
evergreen, and it is entitled to that description so far 
as concerns endurance throughout the year, but most 
of the Aczenas are remarkable for other tints than green, 
and indeed, the colour effects of the dense carpet of foliage, 
and of the bright-hued spiny seed heads, constitute the 
charm and value of the genus. There is no difficulty in 
