27 
watered, during summer, by frequent showers and heavy dews ; 
whilst, in winter, they are protected from the effects of frost by 
a covering of snow. In marshy situations, during summer, they 
are subject to frequent inundations and night fogs. During 
winter, some are completely under water; others grow amongst 
sphagnum, near to flow ing springs, which are seldom frozen. In 
both the elevated and low stations, the water, being pure and in 
constant motion, the soil is prevented from becoming sour, al- 
though it be constantly moist. Hence the necessity of a pecu- 
liar treatment for plants inhabiting such situations. 
58 Alpine Plants, their Culture. The subjects of this inter- 
esting division may be successfully grown, and more easily pre- 
served, in pots than by any other mode of culture. The requi- 
site materials for this purpose are peat, loam, and sharp gritty 
river or pit sand. Also, some broken pots for drainage. Where 
the soil, which is to be used, is apt to adhere too compactly, 
some of the smallest drainers may be sifted out, and mixed a- 
mongst it, to keep it more porous, and allow the water to pass 
through freely. 3Iost of the genera flourish in a mixture of 
equal quantities of peat and loam, mixed up with one-fourth part 
of sand. Some few require pure peat, w ith a mixture of sand. 
The general potting ought to be done in April, when the plants 
begin to grow. This is efl’ected by first putting one inch of 
drainers in the bottoms of the pots, and a little of the coarse 
siftings of the mould over them, to prevent the soil from mix- 
ing with the drainers. The tine soil should then be used, and 
be pressed rather firmly about the plants. 3Iany plants succeed 
best by being again divided, and fresh potted during the sum- 
mer, allowing the plants to become strong before their flowering 
season. The best situation for placing a collection of alpines, 
from April to November, is in a shady sheltered situation, 
plunged in sand or other porous soil. They should be kept 
moist, and to be also, in dry weather, frequently watered over 
head by an engine, or watering pot, with a finely perforated rose. 
In winter, the more delicate species should be protected in a 
frame, open to any aspect excepting the south. During this sea- 
son, they will only require to be w atered sparingly, and this should 
be done without wetting the foliage, or the sand in which the 
pots are immersed. When grown upon artificial rock w ork, the 
same soil should be used as for potting. If attention to water- 
115 57) 5S) Oarencom. 
