378 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
it is June before the snows melt, suddenly exposing vegetation to a 
brilliant sunshine during a long summer day ; and such sunshine too : 
it is fierce in its very intensity. No thick atmosphere such as on 
ordinary levels modifies the sun'a rays is found in these Alpine heights. 
The result is that in a few days the slopes of the mountains are brilliant 
with blossoms of the richest hues to be found anywhere in the fair 
Kingdom of Flora. The natural conditions then are bright and con- 
tinued sunshine, heating the rocks and earth several degrees higher than 
the air, but alternating with cold nights. The whole surface of the 
ground is kept well watered by the melting snows above. By day the 
heat produces a thin covering of vapour slightly protecting the plants 
from the sun's burning rays and promoting growth. These conditions 
prevail during the growing season, which is a very short one. By-and- 
by the melting snow recedes, stops melting, and then begins again to fall. 
Thus the supply of water is gradually cut off, bringing about a condition 
of things which we in these misty islands of ours cannot hope to imitate. 
The surface is now comparatively dry, there is no moisture -laden air to 
tenper the still warm rays of the sun, the efiect of which is to toughen 
and harden every part of the plant. The cell walls thicken, the cells 
diminish in size, and contain less sap, and that in a concentrated form. 
The leaves of such as are evergreen assume a leathery texture, and the 
whole plant is by a beautiful natural process fitted and prepared to 
withstand the Alpine winter as well as its burning summer suns. Usually 
by October the snow — the beautiful Alpine snow — descends upon the plants 
— a mantle of virgin purity. The thermometer may continue to fall, the 
storms and tempests common to these heights may rage in all their wild 
fury, but there they are— these little Alpine gems, snugly reposing under 
their snowy covering, heedless of the raging elements, until another June 
day's sun wakes them from their long sleep to bloom once more and fill 
the mountain slopes with beauty. 
But they are not all protected thus by the snow's friendly covering. 
Dwarf Willows and Rhododendrons and such-like Alpine plants are to 
be seen clinging closely to the bare rocks ; but, to use a common gardening 
phrase, they are so well hardened off" as to be able to stand the 
extreme cold with impunity. 
Such, then, is a brief outline of floral life and environment in the 
mountainous regions of the world. To imitate these conditions as far as 
possible is the object to be aimed at in constructing a rockery. 
Position and Aspect. — The position should be away from walls and 
houses if possible. Not only is a rockery meant to be a suitable home 
for Alpines, but it should also be a veritable reproduction of natural 
rockiness, and to an artistic eye masonry in juxtaposition with it is 
somewhat jarring and neutralises the desired effect. What we want in a 
rock-garden is seclusion — retirement — away from the very sight of every- 
thing that reminds us of the work-a-day world, its cares and worries. 
We want to be alone, there to commune with Nature and, mayhap, with 
Nature's God. If it must be against a wall, then shrubs should be 
arranged at the back so that the wall may as far as possible be hidden. 
But the best position is an open space free from the shade of trees and 
clear of their roots, with an exposure to the east and south. 
