CHA.I>TEIl XXIV. 
Alpine Plants. 
Among the great number of plants, which are acceptable for Window Ganlen- 
mg, we nnd the Alpine plant is one of the least cultivated for this purpose. 
On account of the interesting shape of most of these plants and the tiny space 
required for them by their pygmy appearance, they ought to take the main 
part of the so said Lilliput Gardening. How is it, that even our nurserymen 
lack a good deal of the true Alpine plants in their collection of plants, and 
are in some ways to blame for the want of them amongst our decorated win- 
dows? The answer is easily found. It is the fault of the present fashion. 
Gardeners supply their customers rather with Coleus, Verbenas, Pelargoniums, 
Heliotropes and other bedding plants, than with the exquisite fine Alpine plants, 
which, of course, cannot be propagated in so short a time as common bedding 
plants. The public is mostly satisfied with the latter plants, believing that the 
culture of Alpine plants is one of great difficulty. 
Most of all who have seen these beautiful, modest plants, with their vividness 
of color, displayed in endless variety in perfect loveliness on the fiinges 
of the glaciers, near steep crevices or ghastly slopes, or in elevated plains 
and pastures, in Switzerland, Tyrol and Savoy, have learned to love and 
cherish the sweet flowers, and would like to grow them in their own home. For- 
merly, when cultivation of Alpine plants was accomplished only in botanical 
gardens, many difficulties arose; but now, after much patience, experience and 
experiments, made with all kinds of these plants, the general error, that the 
true Alpine plants only grow on high mountains in a cool temperature, has thus 
been dispelled. It la a fact, that many Alpine plants which are found plenti- 
fully on elevated plains or near glaciers, do often grow and flower in valleys or 
lowland regions. Such are, for instance : Gentiana bavarica and verna, Dnjas 
octopetala, Mcehringia muscosa, Silene acmilis, Soldanella alpina, and several 
various kinds of Saxifraga, Some again, found near slopes or crevices, grow 
well in pots. Such are : Gnaphaliiimleontojiodium, (^Leoiitopoclium Aljnnum'), 
various kinds of Primulas, Primula Cortusoides and Acaulis, Aster Alpinus, 
Eamondia Pyrenaica, all Alpine. SedumSinA. Sempervivum, Saxifraga umbrosa, 
Pyramidalis. Others, which are met within sight of or among fields of snow, 
or in places beyond our reach, are very difficult to cultivate, and therefore not 
fit for window decoration. We mention especially several kinds of Saxifragen; 
some Androsacen, Draba frigida Silene glacialis, Dianthus glacialis, Man- 
nunculus glacialis, and others. Of Alpine plants, can be used those for Win- , 
