PLAN OF A ROSARY. 189 



growing them was the only thing by which he could distinguish 

 them. 



You will perceive I have not recommended any alpines to your 

 notice ; for although some of them are beautifully shaded and very 

 pretty, yet I do not think any of them worth the prices asked for 

 them. Your best way, if you would like to grow alpines, would be 

 to get a packet of good fresh seed, sow it in a box or pan, and place 

 it in a moderate hot-bed. You will, by this means, raise abundance 

 of plants ; and if the seed has been saved from pretty good kinds, 

 you will have almost as many different kinds and shades as you can 

 reasonably desire. I have this season seeded a whole bed of alpines. 

 I dare say I shall have as much seed as will sow half a rood of land ; 

 it is at this moment looking very fine, and is quite ripe. 



The seed of the auricula is tardy in vegetating, and the young 

 plants are of very slow growth, and will seldom flower till they are 

 two years old ; after that, if planted in good rich soil, they grow and 

 spread rapidly enough. I would therefore advise you to sow your 

 seed as soon as it is ripe ; that is, about the latter end of July or 

 early iu August; get the plants as forward as you can in the 

 autumn, keep them in a cool frame during winter, and plant them 

 out in beds of good rich loamy soil in the spring. By so doing, you 

 will gain a season, as most of them will bloom the spring following 

 that in which you planted them out ; or in about twenty months 

 from the time of sowing your seed. 

 July 20th, 1840. 



ARTICLE III. 



PLAN OF A ROSARY. 



BY AZALEA. 



Herewith I send apian of my rosary, which though not yet by any 

 means complete with plants, has been, and still is, in very great 

 beauty. There are forty iron rods (o) to support pillar roses. In 

 the centre and up the sides of the walks they are connected at top, 

 forming a dome with arches, &c. &c. 



