384 THE ALPINE FLORA 



should be a mixture of loam, peat and leaf mould. Both, 

 like Primulas, are apt to lift in frost and should be firmly 

 pressed back and made snug with a dressing of peat. 

 Propagated by seed, but slow germinators. 



Androsace 



"Eng. : Androsace; Fr. : Androsace; Ger. : Mannschild. 



These children of the highest rock-faces, these most 

 alpine of alpines, may, except so far as mere number goes, 

 be thought by many to queen it above the Saxifrages 

 and vie in royalty with the Alpine King, Eritrichium. 

 The dwarf, compact tufts crowd into carpets or solid 

 spheres of tiny leaves, starred with countless flowers like 

 wee Primroses. Yet among themselves they observe 

 degree, priority and place. Highest are such as Charpen- 

 lieri, glacialis, helvetica, imbricata and pubescens, the 

 group, that is, of close cushioned habit, whose stalks are 

 furnished below with older leaves up to the point where 

 young ones burst to build up tiny serried columns, bear- 

 ing flowers always solitary and often sessile so as to hide 

 the underlying foliage. Members of this group must be 

 multiplied by seeds which are slow germinating. Less 

 compact in habit, with racemed or umbellate heads of 

 blossom on longer foot stalks, and with leaves in less 

 natty rosettes, are carnea, chamaejasme, lactea, obtusi folia, 

 villosa and vitaliana. These may be propagated also 

 better by seed than by cuttings. But, even fresh 

 gathered, it is tricky, and always calls for patience except 

 in the case of the unvalued and unnoticed annuals and 

 Jl. lactea, which stands midway between the annuals 

 and the perennial kinds. Not all are difficult; the easier 

 are mentioned in describing individual species; all should 

 be planted in such a position as will avoid, so far as may 

 be, winter moisture, and special care, such as coverings 



