THE MOUNTAIN BOG 



than when on the edge of water, or luxuriating in the 

 wettest bog. But cautiously, say I ; for Myosotis palustris 

 is a rampant greedy grower, and pairs better with other 

 such stout creatures as Mimulus. 



Of Primula and Ranunculus your bog may be proud. 

 All the Alpine Buttercups, alpestris, rutaefolius, Tcer- 

 nerianus, gelldus, glacialis, Traunfellneri, Seguieri, 

 crenatus, bilobus, will thank you for rich, deep, wet soil, 

 in which they will thrive like potatoes. Nothing is more 

 effective in a garden than a damp, stone-strewn tract all 

 dotted with the glossy little bushes and the big white- 

 and-gold cups of Ranunculus alpestris. Indeed, all these 

 high-Alpine Buttercups will thrive in almost any good 

 cool corner, provided their soil be heavy and their condi- 

 tions not too arid. Rarest and loveliest is a treasure from 

 the Austrian Alps, which I have only just succeeded in 

 procuring, after years of craving. This is Ranunculus 

 anemonoeides — the true anemonoeides, not the pretty 

 little Thalictrum anemonoeides with large white flowers 

 on short frail stems, which is sometimes confused with 

 the Ranunculus and offered in catalogues under the 

 auguster name. The Ranunculus inhabits much the same 

 wet shingles in the higher eastern ranges that delight 

 glacialis in the western moraines. It has clawed, divided, 

 fleshy leaves, glaucous and beautiful ; and immense flowers, 

 like those of a mountain Chrysanthemum, pearly white, 

 verging to a delicate sunset pink. From what I have 

 seen I make no doubt this wonderful beauty will prove as 

 easy as the rest of the group, and perhaps the finest of 

 them all. 



I have already so far chanted the Litany of Primula 

 that I can add little to my song of their praise. But 

 first, in justice, I must pause to adore my novelties in the 

 race — abhorrent from bog-treatment though they be. 

 Now, while Auricula Golden Queen has huge obese round. 



