156 FLOWER-FIELDS OF ALPLNE SWITZERLAND 



to fields of such plants as adjuncts to Alpine rock- 

 gardens, or as embellishments to park and 

 pleasaunce. Here we are in a domain which is 

 " orthodoxly " regarded as aesthetic, and not as 

 practical or utilitarian. And, after all, we had best 

 begin by the thin end of the wedge — we had 

 best commence with these flower-fields as a 

 " luxury " ; afterwards — as is quite likely — we may 

 be able to chronicle "escapes" into the general 

 scheme of the countryside. 



I can think of no feature of the Alpine land- 

 scape which could add so much charm and interest 

 to English Alpine gardens as an Alpine meadow, 

 and it is no mean matter for surprise that this 

 feature has not so far claimed the attention it 

 most assuredly merits. Moreover, an Alpine rock- 

 garden shorn of its meadow-setting is less than 

 a picture devoid of its frame. Can any one who 

 knows the Alps imagine what they and their rock- 

 flora would be without the fields and grassy slopes ? 

 Would there be the same widespread and im- 

 mediate interest ? It is inconceivable, for these 

 fields and slopes are, as it were, the exquisitely 

 sumptuous hall through which, amazed and won- 

 dering, we pass to gain the rudeness and refine- 

 ment of Alpine asceticism proper. 



