AN ALPINE ABC 



2. The rock garden should be built of hard 



stone in tiers, and the rocks should 

 slope slightly so that the rain may 

 run away. If you must use sandstone, 

 see that it is well weathered. 



3. Let your rocks be large, plentiful, 



well-placed and laid flat. Nothing is 

 more odious than the ordinary 

 " rockery " with a number of small, 

 pointed and jagged stones. 



4. The soil should be mixed with grit 



and should be of good quality. Most 

 alpines like a good garden soil, i.e., 

 a light loam. If the soil is sandy it 

 should be enriched by fibrous loam 

 and leaf mould. If it is poor, give 

 a little mild horse manure to the 

 stronger plants. If it is heavy, it 

 should be mixed with light soil and 

 well-drained. Sphagnum moss is use- 

 ful for plants which like damp. 



5. If the soil is wanting in lime, lime 



should be added where its use is 

 indicated. Most alpines like lime, 

 but some detest it. Old mortar- 

 rubble is good. It is useful to have 

 a lime area and a non-lime area, and 

 to keep the lime-loving plants separate 

 from the lime-haters. 



