SUMMER CARE OF ALPINE PLANTS 37 



in fact, frequently highly injurious. In properly con- 

 structed rockwork in which there are plenty of stones 

 remarkably little watering is necessary. In continued 

 dry weather, however, a good soaking may be given 

 once a week so that the soil is moistened thoroughly. 

 Evening is the best time to do this, and the water should 

 be applied so as to reach the roots rather than the foliage 

 of the plants. As a supplement to this the rock garden 

 may be lightly sprayed in the evening of hot days. 

 Another point of importance is that of forking up the 

 soil about the plants where this is not covered by stone. 

 In mild, moist weather slugs ought to be searched for 

 and destroyed. They are frequently found sheltering 

 beneath tufted plants, such as Arabis, Aubrietia, and 

 Pinks, and these should be examined frequently. Choice 

 plants may be surrounded by rings of zinc. If small 

 heaps of bran are laid down near the plants most subject 

 to the attacks of slugs, and examined after dark or early 

 in the morning, many of the pests will be caught. Rings 

 of cinders or soot will often protect small plants. Freshly 

 slaked lime dusted over the plants while the leaves are 

 moist tends to keep away slugs. There is really nothing 

 better than hand-picking, and a sally into the garden 

 with a lamp after dark on a dewy evening will provide 

 an opportunity of getting rid of many of these most 

 troublesome pests of the rock garden. The best way 

 to dispose of them is to drop them in a jar of salt. 



