GENTIANS. 153 



situation attached to each show that they do, con- 

 siderable diversity of soil and situation, they will 

 suffice to stimulate the activities of the flower-lover. 

 If space permits he may very well form colonies of some 

 of the dwarf free-growing species like acaulis and verna, 

 when he has learned their requirements, for few plants 

 can give more delightful groups, or provide such 

 captivating breadths of gleaming blue. 



Most of the Gentians come readily from seeds sown 

 under glass in spring. Acaulis and verna are offered 

 by nearly all seedsmen, but seeds of other species are 

 only offered by a few firms who specialise in Alpine 

 flowers. Fine, friable, very sandy loam is the best 

 so\\dng compost. The seeds should only be lightly 

 covered, and pricking-off should be practised directly 

 the seedlings begin to crowd each. They should be 

 planted in summer or early autumn. 



