ALPINES. 
239 
should be mixed several smaller pieces, in number proportionate 
to the quantity of soil; a close imitation of the natural consti¬ 
tuents of the latter may be obtained by mixing loam, leaf-mould 
and silver sand in equal quantities, and this will be found to 
grow the majority of the species, though there are a few which 
require to be placed in bog or peat earth, a difference easily 
ascertained by reference to their habitats. When planted on 
rockwork, which is by far the most agreeable mode of viewing 
them, because it conveys an idea of their respective habits and 
proper appearance, far beyond that given by the very artificial 
contour of a garden-pot. Some care should be taken to provide for 
the then equally essential object, drainage; every cavity intended 
to receive a plant should have an outlet for superflous water, nor 
should they in general exceed a few inches in depth, but rather 
allow them to extend in a lateral direction, because it is in that 
manner the plants will grow, and but very few of them have roots 
calculated to penetrate far into the earth in a downward direction ; 
on the contrary, many, such as the Sedums and Saxifrages, will 
prefer to spread over a bare stone, than to be fed with a quantity 
of rich, and to them, injurious food. In the arrangement of these 
plants in a position like that described, where they are supposed 
to be permanently stationed, it becomes necessary, unless the rock- 
work is of larger dimensions than can be generally afforded 
near towns, to place them in contrary order to that which may 
be considered most natural. The sizes and stature of plants 
usually increase with the descent from alpine regions to the level 
or table-land; and if this arrangement was carried out in the 
artificial one, we should have the smaller plants at the top, with 
the numerous larger individuals towards the base: convenience and 
effect, however, forbid this, and we must consequently sacrifice a 
love of nature, and deviate slightly from her rules, or much of 
our trouble will be lost, for, with rocks of only moderate propor¬ 
tions, it is certain the minutely beautiful objects which prevail in 
the class would be utterly lost, both from their position and the 
overwhelming influence of their more robust neighbours in the 
lower portion of the structure : these appear sufficient reasons 
for the departure, and to warrant the recommendation to place 
the large plants at top, bringing them gradually less as they 
descend towards the earth. A ready means of fixing the smaller 
