THE FLOWER GARDEN. 



835 



as are used for growing balbs in, as their roots penetrate to a 

 considerable depth. In situations where they can be planted 

 out in shady woods, choosing dry or damper spots for such 

 species as require it, and protected from accidental injury, a 

 great hope exists of their being naturalized into this country ; 

 but many of the species cannot be expected to remain long 

 in existence in our flower gardens. 



Near to the Alpine garden, if a situation be naturally favor- 

 able, a shaded bank should be made for mosses ; and blocks of 

 stone, and stumps of old trees scattered about for the growth 

 of fungi. It is only the want of situation, which should be 

 both damp and shaded, and the limited knowledge which ex- 

 ists of these numerous and extremely beautiful and curious 

 plants, that prevent their cultivation. Few plants, if any, in 

 the vegetable kingdom, are so tenacious of life as the majority 

 of the plants forming the great mass of musci or mosses. 

 Being for the most part evergreens, and producing their fruit 

 during winter, they will afford a pleasant study to those at- 

 tached to botanical pursuits, and only require to be seen to 

 be generally admired. Few attempts have been made in this 

 country to cultivate them, and there is little doubt of the suc- 

 cess in situations naturally calculated for them. They thrive 

 best in the most barren soil, and almost alv/ays in cold and 

 moist situations. Most of them are perennial and evergreen, 

 and their growth is remarkably slow ; three, four, and five 

 months often elapse from the first appearance of many of thera 

 till they arrive at perfection. 



