pT aaa CULTURAL DIRECTIONS 

Drainage is perhaps the first requirement of Western plants, so plant 
them where moisture, especially in winter, cannot collect and stand about the 
crown. haieag aha ; bee... 
Cur soil.is usually of rock and gravel with decayed vegetable matter and 
some silt added, his is often underlain with stony Glay. .Ciay and gravel 
seem in effect ta be quite similar, The same species is sometimes found grow- 
ing eaually well in either. This means to me, that it‘is not necessary to 
haul in.gravei to make a drained soil if a slope and an impervious surface will 
get the same result. Your ovm soil’ formula may be as effective as any T: could 
give and if you get in an extra shovel of this or that ‘it may be better. 
I would advise, however, the liberal use of rocks and eravel, not alone on the 
surface, but to a considerable depth, The free circulation of air and moisture 
is important to cool the. soil by evaporation as well as for. quick drainage. 
In addition “to good drainage at all seasons, including winter,: high 
hountain plants ugually have ample moisture in spring when the snows are melt- 
ing, and frequent.’showers later, but may get quite dry in late summer. How 
important this, Arying out.is, is debatable; but it may be advantageous to some 
species tq with hold moisture after flowering and induce a semi-dormant period. 
It seems logical’ that the time to move plants is during, or at the beginning 
of this dormancy, holding them'in storage if necessary until a suitable plant- 
ing time, or allowing them to have their rest with only enough moisture in hot 
weather to prevent brittleness. When plants are received, remove the wrap- 
ings and set the package in water over night. Remove from thé water and . 
keep in- cool place until ready to plant. If there is to be a long:delay, 
cover the roots with dirt or the whole package with moss. . oe. 
_ Anyone who ‘éver stood on a mountain top knows that the air circulates 
about alpines. ‘I don't go so far as to recommend an electric fan, .but suggest 
you. avoid-smoothering alpines among more aggressive plants. Make use of slopes 
and banks if you have them. They assist both air circulation and drainage. 
Sun shines hat on western mountains, but rocks and rapid evaporation absorbe 
the heat.e:. A,large rock may reflect heat to a desert plant ori one side and . 
shade the site, of an alpine on the other. Light shade that does not restrict 
air circulation may’ prove an advantage in your long season area. as © 
Rocky-¥"t. soils are usually neutral or mildly acid, but range from pH-5 
around a sphagnum bog to pH-8 over limestone. — Most plants seem to adapt 
regularly. te some. ' “Vartation in soil acidity if drainage, moisture, air, light, 
and temperature are satisfactory. patos “tiara ip * 
Plants fromthe dry plains take ordinary soil conditions, but with mois- 
ture ‘decreased. Ferns and woods plants prefer a sandy, humus over a porous 
subseil, - Théy do not-need the air circulation of alpines,.but prefer shade 
and-frequent moisture. ie ay. 
Silvery leaved plants are more abundant from areas of hot’ sun and drying 
winds. » The villousness protecting the plant. Shade -+plants are more apt 
to have large, ‘thin and green leaves, though this may be of little help in the 
culture: of plants received without foliage and without labels. 
Im handling seed, planting in sphagnum is recommended. Press the seed 
into + inch pulverized sphagnum moss, availa ble from any florist, and spread 
over a good, well drained soil, Then cover with a pane of glass. . Sprinkle 
as often as necessary to keep moss damp to the touch. Some seed germinate 
quickly, while others are more slow, sometimes coming even more abundantly 
a second year. Due, no doubt, to the controlled conditions of the alpine 
‘house, many Westerns seem to be well suited for this type of culture. 
~ “Byen on quite familiar areas, I am continually finding plants .pverlooked 
before, and failing to find some known to be available from the area. What 
to include in a list of this sort is something of a problem. becry to list 
what I think you would like and that I am reasonably sure to find. There are, 
of course, many moree I cannot get to all areas often and sometimes mus t 
eliminate unprofitable tripse If you have special interests, I would appre- 
ciate hearing of them, but make no promiseSe I do, however, wish you every 
SUCCESS» 
. Frank H. Rose, 1020 Poplar Street, Missoula, Montana. 
