THE CULTIVATION OF ALPINE PLANTS 21 



again Rhododendron ferrugineum does not invariably grow on pri- 

 mary rocks. I saw it last year on the limestone in Switzerland ; 

 though possibly it was an apparent congener and growing there 

 with the other species {R. hirsuium) because a sufficient thickness of 

 peat separated it from the subsoil. Mr. Reginald Farrer has also 

 pointed out in his last volume (Among the Hills) that "no reliance 

 can be placed on rigid assignments of a plant to one stratum or 

 anoth'er," and that this applies even to Anemone alpina and 

 A. sulphur ea. But generally speaking the chemical and physical 

 nature of soil is a factor of far greater importance in the distribu- 

 tion of plants in relatively small areas than the physical configura- 

 tion of the land. 



Many of the Primulas, such as P. Auricula, P. viscosa VilL, and 

 P. latifolia, which grow on rocks in the Alps, may be planted in deep 

 crevices between rocks ; but there must be plenty of good compost 

 made of a mixture of peat, sand, and loam, or leaf-mould instead of 

 the peat. The roots should be tightly wedged between two stones. 

 Mr. W. A. Clark recommends the use of clay instead of loam to 

 wedge the plants in, because it will hold moisture longer. 



The roots of Primulas should be well watered in spring and early 

 summer. Some species such as P. glutinosa and P. involucrata 

 do better in a northerly aspect, sheltered from the sun. P. integri- 

 folia will cover damp, flat rocks if the soil is moist and yet well 

 drained. It wants an abundance of water in spring, for it usually 

 thrives best in the Alps just below the melting snow. The tiny 

 P. minima hates lime, and likes sandy peat in a bare, open spot, 

 though neither it nor the rare P. Allioni should be allowed to become 

 very dry. P. Allioni is endemic in the Maritime Alps, and grows 

 most luxuriantly in limestone grottos or small caves. Mr. W. A. 

 Clark suggested the placing of a large stone to hang over this 

 Primula, about a foot above the plant, sloping in towards the bank, 

 so that rain may run off to the roots in a sort of little pit lined with 

 clay and filled with loam and broken limestone. 



To propagate Alpine plants by cuttings, a method particularly 

 applicable to shrubs and certain hard-wooded plants, such as 

 Helianthemum, Cisius, Daphne, Rhamnus, etc., half -ripe branches 

 should be cut off in autumn and placed in a shallow pan or bed. 

 The cuttings should not be more than three or four inches long ; 

 the lower leaves should be trimmed off, and the shoots must be cut 

 immediately below a joint, whence the roots will spring. There 

 should be good drainage, and the compost of loam and sharp sand 

 can be made more porous by adding pieces of charcoal. Each 

 cutting should be firmly placed in little holes about an inch and a 

 half deep, which are drilled with a stick or ordinary lead pencil, 

 and a little silver sand can be dropped into each hole. After the 

 earth has been firmly rammed down, the cuttings may be placed 

 in a cool frame, or in some shady place covered with a bell-glass, 



