48 ROCK GARDENING FOR AMATEURS 



to deal with after division ; before replanting the roots 

 are dipped in water and then in dry sand to cause the 

 small fibrous roots to adhere to this, or into a puddle 

 of soil and water. When the divisions are small they 

 are put in pots and sheltered in a frame, which should 

 be kept closed for a few days. An excellent compost 

 consists of two parts loam, one of leaf-soil, and another 

 of sand. 



Cuttings. By far the greater number of alpine 

 plants may be increased by cuttings ; the scarcer sorts 

 are generally propagated in this way or by small divisions, 

 which are practically cuttings, requiring the same care 

 as the latter. The best time to take cuttings is largely 

 a question of convenience. Rooted plants are obtained 

 most quickly by inserting the cuttings in an unshaded 

 frame in full sun in summer, in late May or early June. 

 A frame is chosen and filled to within a few inches of 

 the top with well-drained, light, sifted soil, and surfaced 

 with two inches of fine sand. This is made firm, and the 

 cuttings are inserted as closely as convenient. They are 

 then well watered, the lights put on, and the frame is 

 kept closed and unshaded until the cuttings root, when 

 air should gradually be given. It is essential that the 

 soil in the frames, exposed as it is to full sun, should 

 not be allowed to get dry. This may be described as an 

 " express " method of rooting cuttings, needing some 

 skill and constant attention. For amateurs the orthodox 

 treatment is preferable. Then the cuttings are either 

 inserted in light soil surfaced with sand in a cold or 



