PLANNING AND BUILDING 21 



ease with which we can grow these same plants in our 

 lowland gardens situated little above sea-level, provided 

 we do not allow them to be over-run by weeds and 

 plants of more vigorous habit. 



The general conditions prevailing in the high Alps are 

 almost the exact opposite of those we get here in 

 England, and at first sight it would appear difficult 

 if not altogether impossible to so modify our 

 surroundings as to make these little mountaineers feel 

 at home. 



A factor of primary importance is that the Alpine 

 plant in the mountain is buried to a considerable 

 depth, all through the winter, under a blanket of dry 

 powdery snow, which not only protects the little plants 

 from any sudden variation of temperature, but ensures 

 that they shall be dry about the crown, while the low 

 temperature keeps the plants dormant, and their roots 

 dry also. Owing to the thickness of this snow blanket 

 and despite the great heat of the sun, as it pours down 

 upon the mountain in the Spring and early Summer, 

 it is often June or July before it is able to altogether 

 dissipate the snow, and then the Alpine plants are 

 exposed not to our variable and uncertain Spring 

 weather but high Summer time, with ample light, 

 and a high temperature during the day. This is of 

 course conducive to very rapid growth and one of the 

 features which characterizes many Alpine plants, 



