926 



THE PRACTICAL GAFtDENER. 



Until the month of November they need not be constantly 

 covered, but only protected occasionally from heavy rains, or 

 similar injury. As their leaves decay round the bottom of the 

 stem, they should be carefully removed, as they tend to en- 

 gender mouldiness and decay. The surface of the mould in 

 the pots should also be frequently and carefully stirred, but 

 not deep, for fear of injuring the roots which are nearest to 

 the surface. A few small pebbles, sand-stone chips, or oyster- 

 shells, placed on the surface of the pots, will greatly tend to 

 prevent dampness, which is all that has to be guarded against 

 in the cultivation of this charming flower at this season, and 

 until vegetation commences in spring. 



ALPINE PLANTS IN POTS. 



Many oi the more delicate Alpine plants should now be 

 placed in the Alpine pits or frames, where they are to be win- 

 tered, as the season is now approaching when damp and a 

 superabundance of rain cannot be otherwise guarded against. 

 Damp is certain destruction to most plants which are natives 

 of barren or rocky situations, and those in a state of culti- 

 vation are more liable to its ill effects, than those which are in 

 their native soils. Cultivation produces an enlargement of 

 parts, which enlargement is made up of matter extremely liable 

 to decay, particularly when in close and humid situations. 



It will now be necessary, therefore, to place the more rare, 

 and such as are likely to be injured by much damp, in the 

 frames ; but here they should not be covered, unless in times 

 of rain, for if they be covered they will be drawn up weakly, 

 and their vegetative powers excited at a season when they 

 should be at rest. Those which are less delicate, when they 

 appear too damp, should be laid over on their sides to drip 

 until they be dry, and then to be replaced in an upright po- 

 sition. Worms will now be troublesome to them, and to ah 

 plants in pots ; they can be easily destroyed by watering the 

 whole over with lime-water, or the pots in which they appear 

 to be, inverted, and the plant taken out with the ball entire, 

 when in most cases the worms will be detected, scarcely co- 

 vered with mould. Those who arc partial to these humble 



