82 THE NEW GARDENING 



the flowers will prove an attraction before the principal 

 herbaceous plants have grown more than a few inches 

 above the soil. 



Before ever a stone is bought, or a plant ordered, 

 let the Alpine-lover take careful note of the configuration 

 of his ground (with a practical adviser at his elbow 

 if entirely without experience), and see what amenities 

 it provides. Let the leading influence be, not how many 

 large blocks of stone can be stuffed in, but how few will 

 be adequate. Let the governing thought be adaptation, 

 not revolution. 



Great joy and pleasure can be found in the cultivation 

 of Alpine flowers in small places, where any attempt to 

 ape the scenery of the Alps would be ridiculous. When 

 delusion has died I look to see these exquisite flowers 

 adorning thousands of the very smallest gardens. They 

 will thrive wherever there is sunshine, pure air and suit- 

 able soil. They give us bloom before the winter snows 

 have gone, and others of their kind are in beauty in the 

 heat of summer. 



The problem of compost is not so vital for the majority 

 of Alpines as is commonly supposed. Given a soil which, 

 with tillage and manuring, will grow good Roses, Dahlias, 

 Peas and Scarlet Runners, the great majority of rock 

 plants will thrive ; but in most cases lightening with a 

 liberal admixture of peat or soft, flaky leaf-mould from 

 the woods is beneficial. Two feet of loam, well broken 

 up with this material, will prove much to the liking of 

 Alpines generally. There must not be a preponderance 

 of peat, except in moist places, otherwise the soil will 

 tend to become dry, loose, and fluffy in spells of hot, 

 sunny weather, and in such a condition many good plants, 

 such as the mossy Saxifrages, will tend to die out in 

 spite of watering. Always, however, there should be at 



