ALPINE FLOWERS FROM SEEDS 45 



Another point of special importance is that of in- 

 serting the seedlings firmly when they are transplanted. 

 Many amateurs plant them loosely, with the result that 

 the roots do not make progress. A stick notched at 

 one end is useful for lifting them out. 



Sowing seeds of alpines in the open ground is not, 

 as a rule, advisable, for fewer plants are obtained and 

 the risks of total failure are much greater. The place 

 chosen should be a sheltered one, and the soil made 

 light and sandy. If the position is sunny, some shelter, 

 provided by canvas or scrim, must be given to prevent 

 the necessity of too frequent watering and to screen 

 the seedlings from strong sunshine. The seeds are sown 

 in April or May in little drills, first filled with fine soil 

 made firm. The seeds are just covered with very fine 

 soil, and this is pressed gently down. 



When seeds are sown in late summer or autumn 

 the seedlings should not be disturbed until spring ; they 

 may then be transferred to other pots or boxes in the 

 orthodox manner. Providing the pots are put in a cold 

 frame and buried to the rims in ashes, the seedlings will 

 not suffer. Air must be admitted freely during favourable 

 weather ; cold will do them no harm providing they 

 are kept fairly dry. They need very little water, merely 

 sufficient to keep the soil quite moderately moist. 



Alpines Readily Raised from Seed. Only plants are 

 named of which seeds are commonly offered by specialist 

 seedsmen. Those that may bloom the first year if 

 sown under glass not later than February are marked 



