594 



Gardening for Amateurs 



gradually increase the ventilation by remov- 

 ing the cover glass as the seed leaves ex- 

 pand, and also admit plenty of air to the 

 structure in which the pots are placed. At 

 this stage of their development a suitable 

 position for the seed pots is in an unheated 

 frame well exposed to the light ; fill the frame 

 to within 9 inches of the lights with ashes or 

 similar material, and plunge the seed pots 

 almost to the rim, closing the lights at night, 

 but airing freely on all favourable occasions 

 throughout the day. Water is best given by 



freshly manured soil fosters exuberant growth, 

 which is inimical to their well-being during 

 the succeeding winter. Those plants marked 

 by a dagger on page 601 include alpines of 

 comparatively slow growth, some of them 

 being extremely so ; they may be regarded 

 as the choicest of the race, consequently 

 cultivation in pots is recommended until 

 they are large enough for permanent plant- 

 ing. The soil for these varies to some 

 extent, and should be compounded with 

 care. Lime in the soil is either necessary 



Photo : Jt. ,-/. Malby. 



A charming alpine Bellflower (Campanula Allioni) for the moraine. 



standing the pots to the rim in a tank or 

 tub until saturated ; on no account should 

 the seedlings be flooded, as the frail stems 

 are liable to break. 



The seedlings may safely be transplanted 

 to other pots or boxes when large enough to 

 handle, dibbling them in one to two inches 

 apart according to their size ; return them 

 to a well-aired frame and plunge the pots 

 to the rim in ashes. If grown in a cold, 

 shady, airy frame, the plants are ready for 

 transplanting into a light, sunny position in 

 the open during June. Choose ground that 

 has been manured for a previous crop, as 



or advantageous to most alpines, and the 

 most acceptable form in which it can be 

 supplied is as crushed chalk. 



The Value of Lime. Even to plants 

 that may be considered satisfactory on soil 

 deficient in lime, the addition of chalk 

 strengthens the colours, deepens the tint of 

 the foliage, most noticeable in those having 

 blue-grey or glaucous leafage, while the 

 general appearance of the plants is healthier, 

 and they are better perennials. For those 

 alpines partial to a limy soil this ingredient 

 should be introduced at the seedling stage, 

 and in default of chalk old mortar rubble 



