PLANTING AND GENERAL HINTS 33 



in the case of plants that are short-lived or dwindle away 

 after a season or two. Top-dressing, referred to fully 

 in another chapter, should never be neglected, and can 

 advantageously be performed at all seasons. Even in 

 spring, watering is occasionally necessary, and when 

 required at all it should be done in no perfunctory 

 manner, a thorough soaking being given to roots, but 

 not poured on the foliage. 



The Question of Manure. Alpine plants occasionally 

 require some manure, and there is nothing better than 

 dry cow-dung, rubbed through a small-mesh sieve into 

 very fine particles, and placed round about the plants 

 or worked among the leaves of those of tufted or creeping 

 habit. Fine bone-meal is very helpful to many plants 

 and may be applied in the same way once a fortnight/ - 

 in spring, but a mere sprinkling is enough. Basic 

 slag, applied to the soil in autumn, at the rate of three 

 ounces to the square yard, is helpful, and a good liquid 

 manure for summer use may be made up of the following 

 ingredients : Phosphate of potash, 68 grains ; nitrate of 

 potash, 45 grains ; sulphate of potash, 45 grains ; nitrate 

 of lime, 45 grains : dissolve in 60 gallons of water, and 

 apply in showery weather. 



When to Plant. The best time to plant alpines is 

 in early September, or in March, but planting is very 

 commonly practised throughout autumn, winter and 

 spring. Plants in pots may, of course, be put out at any 

 season, though if planted in summer close attention is 

 necessary to ensure that they do not suffer from drought. 



