WINTER GARE OF ALPINE PLANTS 39 



may be nearer the plants, so that too much rain may not 

 be driven beneath it. There are several patent contriv- 

 ances by means of which the glass may be held in position. 

 Wood's glass supporters, for instance, are excellent, and 

 the Chase Continuous Cloche serves the purpose well. 

 Bell-glasses or handlights, placed on bricks or tilted so as 

 to admit plenty of air, are valuable, and may also be used. 

 The glass or other shelters should be put on not later 

 than the end of October, and be left there until the middle 

 or end of February. Certain alpines, such as the Soldanellas, 

 which are " shy flowering," are often induced to bloom 

 if given protection in this way during winter. We 

 cannot imitate the conditions of total rest which the 

 mountain flowers enjoy in winter, but we may at least 

 endeavour to suit them as far as possible. 



Removing Decaying Leaves. The removal of dead 

 and decaying leaves from the plants, and also any which 

 may have been blown among them by the wind, should 

 be seen to. Many amateurs allow these to remain, under 

 the impression that they save the plants from being 

 injured by frost, whereas moisture settles in them and 

 is liable to cause the plants to decay. Tufted evergreen 

 plants, especially, may die owing to their becoming 

 covered by wind-blown leaves. If this results in the 

 exposure of some of the stems, light soil should be placed 

 round about them. Loam and leaf-soil with sand and 

 grit intermixed answer well for this top dressing. The 

 winter treatment is summed up in the directions to keep 

 the plants as dry and clean as possible, together with 



