26 Moraine Making 



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become a necessity in all the best equipped rock gar- 

 dens if the endeavour to cultivate choice alpines from 

 near the snow line is to be crowned with greater suc- 

 cess than heretofore. In all probability the oldest 

 constructed Moraine in British gardens has not yet 

 seen a couple of decades ; a far greater number, prob- 

 ably, but a fourth of that time. To plant a variety of 

 things to-day and write of their doing well in the 

 Moraine a month or two hence does not command con- 

 fidence. Above all, it lacks experience. iWe fully 

 believe, however, that it will prove a home for many 

 things hitherto a failure when grown in rich soils. 

 How great the variety may be, however, and how much 

 success is likely to be assured, are questions to be 

 answered by time and by experience only. The free- 

 growing alpine plants we grow quite well elsewhere, 

 hence, our Moraine should not be in the nature of a 

 dumping ground. 



Constructing the Moraine. — The essentials are mois- 

 ture, supplied from below, the presence of grit and, 

 more or less, finely pulverised rock, and an entire 

 absence of rich vegetable soils. Finely sifted peat and 

 leaf soil in proportion to one-sixth for the majority 

 adding a little loam for Gentians, Primulas and Ranun- 

 culus. The process of formation, to secure a water- 

 tight bottom and varying levels to suit the needs of a 

 variety of plants, might be conducted on the same 

 lines as those suggested for the bog garden (Fig. 9). 

 A watertight condition may be secured by puddling 

 with clay, or by the use of cement concrete or both. 

 Beds or compartments at different levels, allowing for 

 two or, possibly, three distinct depths, should also be 

 arranged. With the watertight compartments com- 

 pleted a,nd tested, and arrangements made for relieving 

 the beds of superfluous moisture, e.g., small drain pipes 

 which might be plugged up at will, the filling in may 

 be proceeded with. Over the bottom place a six-inch 

 thick layer of rather coarse gravel. Next above place 

 a thick layer of sphagnum or other moss to prevent 



