PART i.j 



CULTURAL 



33 



The only attention these beds have required since planting 

 has been to keep a free-growing species from overrunning plants, 

 like Gentiana verna, to water the beds well in hot weather, and 

 to remove the smallest weeds. With the exception of the fine 

 Gentiana bavarica, every alpine plant grew well, and the beds 

 showed fresh interest every week from the dawn of spring till 

 late in autumn. 



In such little-exposed beds some may fear the sun burning 

 up their plants ; yet the sun that beats down on the Alps and 

 Pyrenees is fiercer than that which shines on the British garden. 

 But, while the Alpine sun cheers the flowers, it also melts the 

 snows above, and water and frost grind down the rocks into earth; 

 and thus, enjoying both, the roots form healthy plants. Fully 

 exposed plants do not perish from too much sun, but from want 

 of moisture. Therefore, for the greater number of rock-plants, 

 full exposure is one of the first conditions of culture 

 abundance of free soil under the roots and such a disposition of 

 the soil and rocks that the rain may permeate through all, 

 being also indispensable. 



Alpine Plants growing in a level border. 



An open, slightly elevated, and, if possible, quite isolated 

 spot should be chosen, and a small rock-garden so arranged as 

 to appear as if naturally cropping out of the earth. With a few 

 cart-loads of stones and earth, good effects may be produced in 

 this simple way. 



Having determined on the position of the bed, the next 

 thing to do is to excavate the ground to a depth of two feet, or 

 thereabouts, and to run a drain from it if very wet. If not, it is 

 better let alone, as with many kinds success depends upon the 

 beds being continually moist ; and in dry soils, instead of drain- 



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