33 THE STORY OF MY ROCK GARDEN 



Through this mass of stone chips varying in size 

 from large blocks weighing tons, to quite small grit 

 flows during the summer a constant supply of ice-cold 

 water from the melting glacier above, carrying away 

 with it any fine particles of soil which may have existed 

 among the stones. Upon such soaking shingles certain 

 plants thrive, and indeed seem disinclined to grow 

 satisfactorily elsewhere ! 



As in the case of plants which jewel the short turf 

 of the Alps below the glacier, the winter conditions 

 higher up are similar, the outflows of the glacier 

 freeze up, and so stop the water supply, while the 

 moisture held in the absorbent mass of stone gradually 

 drains away, leaving the plants comparatively dry. 

 Upon this descends the snowy mantle from the wintry 

 sky, securely wrapping up in its soft folds both the 

 moraine and its little inhabitants, until the hot sun 

 of the following summer thaws them out again. 



This release from their winter quarters, however, 

 often does not take place until July, so that the period 

 during which they can flower and perfect their seed 

 is short indeed. 



It will be seen that the open nature of the stony 

 " soil," if we can use this name for the smaller stone 

 chips, ensures quick drainage, and the likelihood of a 

 sufficient amount of fine sandy particles accumulating 

 in any place to materially check this rapid drainage, 



