SEPTEMBER. 
208 
and why not onr rows of Petunias ? They require no more care to produce 
them efficiently; they are second to none in the beauty of their markings, 
or the distinctiveness of their colouration. A row planted upon any of 
those side borders which are now almost invariably associated with the 
main walks in kitchen gardens, even with standard Boses in the centre, or 
in connection with any of the plants noticed above, would amply repay 
with their beauty the trouble expended in their production. To do them 
well, however, each plant must be placed at least l£ foot from its neighbour ; 
it must' be tied out and staked in detail, and it must otherwise be attended 
to, as are Dahlias, by removing decaying flowers, applying manure water 
in dry weather, &c. The plants delight in a light, rich, open soil, and 
should be kept in a dry atmosphere during the winter, with just sufficient 
root-moisture to ensure reciprocity of action between roots and leaves. 
Seeds sown in March in a moderate warmth will germinate freely ; and if 
pricked out into seed-pans and so forwarded, will, by the last week in May, 
be ready for turning out, or will prove efficient stuff for flowering in pots. 
Many and varied are the forms assumed by individual seedlings, more 
especially by those which indicate a cross-breeder’s skill in the selection of 
parents with varied merits. I have lately seen many such, the produce 
of a single pod of seed. 
Digswell. William Earley. 
THE CULTIVATION OF ALPINE PLANTS. 
Alpine plants are now so much engaging, as they deserve to do, the 
attention of plant-lovers, that we gladly introduce some remarks on their 
treatment, founded on the experience of the Messrs. Backhouse & Son, of 
York, who have taken up their cultivation with much spirit, and with great 
success. They observe in the preface to a recent catalogue in which their 
fine collection is very usefully described:— 
The past two years have only confirmed our opinion that no form of 
horticulture surpasses, or indeed equals in interest the cultivation of these 
alpine gems, though, instead of revelling in the sight of masses such as 
Nature exhibits in the wild regions where the plants are found, we are 
limited to little tufts or fragments that, enchanting as they are, only convey 
to the mind a faint idea of what is yet in store for us. Think of a sheet of 
Silene acaulis measured last year on one of the Westmoreland mountains, 
5 feet across! and imagine the effect of such a mass when in full bloom. 
For it not unfrequently happens that the pink, or rose-coloured, or crimson 
flowers of this plant are so densely clustered together as to form a solid 
mass of colour. And why should not our gardens be thus adorned ? Time 
only is required, for by far the larger proportion of alpine plants are easy 
to cultivate, and even while small, abundantly repay the small amount of 
labour that is requisite. With something less than 25s. worth of rocks 
(costing here 9s. per ton), we have formed a rocky bank upon which many 
scores of choice Alpines thrive admirably. For though contact with the 
rock is necessary for some, it is not needful for all. The improved drainage 
afforded by a bank 3 or 4 feet high (in the composition of which a large 
proportion of rough sand should be generally used), quite suffices for the 
wants of many species ; as, though “true mountaineers,” they inhabit the 
glades and plateaus of alpine regions, where there is often a large area of 
rich vegetable soil without rock. 
