OF OUR ENTHUSIASM FOR "ALPINES" 11 



thorough translation of Alpine circumstance to 

 our grounds and gardens ? 



Now, to this end we must look around us in the 

 Alps to find that element in plant-life which we 

 have hitherto neglected ; and if we do this, our 

 eyes must undoubtedly alight upon the fields. 

 Hitherto these have been a greatly neglected 

 quantity with us when planning our Alpine 

 gardens, and their possibilities have been almost 

 entirely overlooked in respect of our home-lands. 

 Why should we not make more pronounced at- 

 tempts to create such meadows, either as befitting 

 adjuncts to our rockworks or as embellishments to 

 our parks ? I venture to think that such an ex- 

 tension and direction of our enthusiasm would add 

 much sterling popularity to that already acquired 

 by Alpines in our midst, besides doing far greater 

 justice to many of their number. I venture to 

 think, also, that it would add much to the joy and 

 health of home-life. These thoughts, therefore, 

 shall be developed and examined as we push for- 

 ward with this volume, first of all making a careful 

 study of the fields on the spot, and marking their 

 " moods and tenses." 



