CULTURE OF HARDY FLOWERS. 31 



used there were taller proportionately than those we commonly 

 use, so that there was plenty of room for the roots after the rather 

 deep cutting had been made. 



A yet more desirable mode than the preceding- is that of elevating 

 the collar of the plant somewhat above the level of the earth in the 

 ordinary pot by means of half-buried stones, as shown by figures in 

 my " Alpine Flowers." 



In this way we not only raise the collar of the plant so that it is 

 less liable to suffer from moisture, but, by preventing evaporation, 

 preserve conditions much more congenial to alpine plants, and keep 

 the roots firm in the ground j besides, the small plants look more at 

 home springing from and spreading over their little rocks. It should, 

 however, be distinctly understood that no such attention is required 

 by the great majority of alpine plants. 



No matter in what way these plants may be grown in gardens, 

 it is desirable to keep the duplicates and young stock in small pots 

 plunged in sand or fine coal-ashes, so that they may be carefully 

 removed to the rockwork, or sent away at any time. It is impos- 

 sible to keep up and increase an interesting collection of perennial 

 and alpine plants without having small specimens in nursery beds 

 for filling up blanks or effecting exchanges. In the bottom of beds 

 of this kind there should be half a dozen inches of coal-ashes, so 

 as to prevent worms getting into the pots, in which they always 

 prove very injurious. Sand, or grit, or fine gravel, from its clean- 

 liness and the ease with which the plants may be plunged in it, is 

 to be preferred, but finely sifted coal-ashes will do if sand cannot 

 be spared for this purpose. 



Such beds should always be in the full sun, near to a good supply 

 of water, and, if several or many are made, should be separated 

 by gravelled alleys of about two feet wide. The watering is very 

 important. In a large nursery it should be laid on and given with 

 a fine hose. This certainly is the most convenient and economical 

 way. 



The larger type of alpine and herbaceous plants, beginning with 

 such as the Aquilegias, and rising to the finer Phloxes, Pent- 

 stemons, <fec., have not yet, any more than the preceding classes, 

 been seen at our shows in anything approaching to proper condition, 

 though the cultivator who can grow a good specimen of the Chrys- 

 anthemum should have no difficulty with them. The will, and a 

 little timely preparation, are all the requisites j but as the grower of 



