28 ALPINE FLOWERS. Part L 



an excellent result to form the " peaks " and " cliffs " of the rock- 

 garden, in the construction of cascades, &c., and in positions 

 where only the distant and picturesque effect of rocks in garden 

 scenery is sought. In places where it already exists, much 

 improvement may be effected by the creation of patches of true 

 alpine garden in open spots near the cementedrocks, covering 

 the last as much as possible with low shrubs and hardy shrubby 

 climbers. 



Hitherto we have chiefly considered the rock-garden on a 

 somewhat extensive scale. As those who can afford this are 

 less likely to want' instruction than the much greater numbers 

 who cannot, I propose now to treat of several successful modes 

 of growing alpine flowers which may be carried out in the 

 smallest gardens at a trifling expense. A well-arranged and well- 

 planted alpine garden is somewhat costly, even where materials 

 are easily obtained, and, moreover, requires much labour, skill, 

 patience, and knowledge of plants to keep it in a perennially 

 interesting condition. Local conditions, want of suitable stones, 

 want of knowledge, and consequent want of interest in the 

 plants, must, in many cases, prevent the most interesting of all 

 phases of gardening from being enjoyed. I am therefore the 

 more desirous to help the smaller and humbler attempts of 

 those who cannot afford more than a very small patch of alpine 

 garden, as well as to assist beginners of every class. 



One of the simplest of all ways of cultivating alpine plants is 

 in small rocky beds, arranged on the turf of some parts of the 

 garden, cut off by trees or shrubs from the ordinary flower beds, 

 without any of the pretensions of the ordinary rockwork ; one of 

 these will give much greater satisfaction than many an ugly and 

 extensive mass, and by the exercise of a very little judgment is 

 readily constructed so as to not offend the nicest taste. I once 

 induced the owner of a garden in the northern suburbs of Lon- 

 don to procure a small collection of alpines and try them in this " 

 way, and the resuh was so charming that a few words as to how 

 it was attained may be useful. 



A little bed was dug out in the clay soil to the depth of two 

 feet, and a drain run from it to an outlet near at hand ; the bed 

 was filled with fine sandy peat and a little loam and leaf-mould, 

 and, when nearly full, worn stones of different sizes were 

 placed around the margin, so as to raise the bed on an average 

 one foot or so above the turf. More soil was then put in, atid a 



