236 THE ALPINE FLORA 



With many species an immediate sowing is imperative; 

 for example, Jlnemone Pulsatilla, Jldonis vernalis, the 

 blue thistle (Eryngium alpinum), Polygonum, Primula, and 

 some Gentians. Sown directly after harvest, the seed of 

 these species and of others as well germinates at once 

 and freely. They pass the winter in the cotyledon stage, 

 busied in building up a strong body of roots. Defer 

 sowing till spring and you will find them very slow, per- 

 haps a year, in germinating. The general sowing, how- 

 ever, may be made in the spring; but early, very early, 

 for the plants must be up before the hot days of summer. 



The seed is sown in pots, pans or boxes, with ample 

 drainage ; or, for that matter, especially the seed of vig- 

 orous kinds, in open ground under a frame, or without 

 protection in a sheltered border, where shade can be given. 

 Care must be taken to cover the seeds (especially if 

 minute) very thinly, barely with their own depth of soil. 

 The receptacles should be placed under glass in a cold, 

 dry, clean frame. If possible, they should be covered 

 during winter with snow. This is most advantageous; for 

 the process of germination is accelerated. My own obser- 

 vations and experience are conclusive on this point, and 

 I have no hesitation in saying that snow has a real in- 

 fluence on sowings of mountain plants 1 . 



But in countries where snow is an uncertain quantity, 

 it is wise to defer till spring the sowing of those species 

 which germinate promptly, and to expose the seed to the 

 warm showers of that season. No harm is done if the 

 pots are thoroughly drained. In a very dry, continental 

 climate 2 , that of southern France for example, it is 



1 See chapter on "Sowing" pp. 21 et seq. H. Correvon's. "Les plantes 

 alpine s et de rocailles. 



2 M. Correvon implies that this procedure is not suitable for an 

 English climate. This is unquestionably true. An attempt to use sphagnum 

 would probably not be only useless but prejudicial or worse. "Ed. 



