28 
ing these plants frequently over head, in dry weather, could be 
attended to, they would grow more luxuriantly than in pots. 
Peculiar modes of treatment, for particular genera or species, 
will be given at a future period. The above directions apply 
to the general cultivation of alpines. 
59 Leaf Mould. Decayed leaves form a most valuable ingredient 
in compost for potting ; or for enriching and pulverizing the 
common soil of the garden. We collect them, indiscriminately, 
in autumn ; lay them together, closely, in a heap, turn and well 
mix them every three or four months; and in the second spring, 
after gathering, they may be riddled for use. If this be attend- 
ed to annually, a stock may be accumulated, and part remain 
to be two or three years old, which is very desirable for the 
nicer purposes of the florist. For speedily decomposing leaves, 
Martin Doyle, in his Practical Gardening, directs, that as soon 
as gathered, they be well saturated with the drainage of the 
stable or farm-yard, or with soap suds ; then enclosed over and 
about with fresh stable manure, to occasion immediate fermen- 
tation. When the heat subsides, the leaves should be turned over, 
moistened again if requisite, and enclosed as before, by which 
process, those of the sycamore, elm, alder, maple, and all the soft 
kinds, become ready for use in two months. 
60 Leaves for Hotbeds. The harder kinds of leaves, as those 
of the oak, sweet chestnut, beech, and hornbeam, have been ad- 
vantageously used both in hotbeds and pine pits. Speedily, 
who published a work on the culture of the Pine, was convinced, 
after twenty-five years’ experience, that leaves are superior to 
tail for the pine pit. If gathered in a dry state, he first watered 
them, then laid them together, within hurdles, to the height of 
several feet, treading them closely. In this state they remained 
six weeks, after which they were mixed together, watered if re- 
quisite, and then well trodden into the pine pits. A thin layer 
of tan was then spread over the whole, on which the pine pots 
were placed, and their interstices filled up with tan. He consi- 
dered that two most important advantages were afforded by 
leaves. They never heated violently ; and their heat was far 
more permanent. His beds were stirred but once a year, and 
then re-made, with one-half of fresh leaves, and one-half of the 
least decayed part of the old ones. Mixed with manure for hot- 
beds, they greatly prolong its heat. 
