260 THE ALPINE FLORA 



ateJy they are somewhat difficult to grow at lower levels. 

 It is necessary to raise them from seed, as we have done 

 at Floraire with good results, and transplant them as soon 

 as they are 2-3 years old in deep, spongy soil (without 

 lime for sulfur -ea), and in half shade. When buying plants, 

 it is essential to insist on stock raised from seed, for full- 

 grown plants are seldom removed with success. In Eng- 

 land, however, full sun is necessary, and sulfurea should 

 be accomodated with sandier loam. Both should be top- 

 dressed when dormant in autumn with loam and leaf-soil 

 deep enough to cover the crown. As sulfurea grows from 

 the crown, and not from offsets, as alpina, great care 

 must be taken to preserve it from accidental injury during 

 the time of rest. 



Jl. pulsatilla*. A charming flower with erect cup of 

 violet-blue, enclosing a sheaf of golden stamens and with 

 silky hairs on the outside; the involucre is very hairy 

 and half-way up the scape. It flowers about Easter and 

 is one of the fairest jewels on the foothills of the Jura 

 Vaudois, from Romainmotier to La Sarraz, on the 

 slopes of the Chaumont above Neuchatel, though now 

 rare in this locality, and extending into the Jura of Canton 

 Basle. 



The culture is of the easiest, given full sun and deep 

 but lightish soil. It is apt to grow coarse under cultiva- 

 tion and may rot off at the collar if exposed to excessive 

 moisture. Both dangers may be minimised by working 

 coarse grit among the stems soon after they appear. It 

 should not be disturbed when dormant. At Floraire a 

 most delightful variety, with flowers of purest white, is 

 cultivated. Lilac and rosy-brown forms also are grown ; 

 the last is a glorious fellow, but rare. The introduction 

 of this species into Britain has been attributed to the 

 Romans. 



