ROCK GARDENSAlpines in Rock Gardens 3Great variety of bloom may
be had, since a large number of specimens
can be kept in quite a small space. The alpine
house does not necessarily require artificial
heating, although a row of hot-water pipes
round the sides is an advantage. In such
a case care should be taken to keep them
away from the plants, as scorching is instant
death to alpines. They are only required
during the dark, damp, foggy days (especially
in cities) of winter. The alpine house is
best of the low span-roof type, so situated
that it runs north and south; both sides
then get their fair share of the sun be removed
as soon as the fiercest rays are passed.
Moderate sun will not hurt the great majority
of alpines; it is only the fiercest rays
of mid-summer that must be warded off. Protection
from only the direct rays of the sun should
be provided. Where constant attention can
be given, an arrangement of roller blinds
is, of course, the best, as the amount of
light can be better regulated, and the blinds
may be left up on dull and sunless days.
Where, however, as is often the case, the
alpine house must of necessity be left to
look after itself for a good part of the
day, the simplest, and the most satisfactory,
method is to paint the glass over with a
mixture of whiting and milk, or purchase
one of the numerous green shading mixtures
now on the market, care being taken to cover
all small air bubbles, etc., so common in
the cheaper glass, for these act as lenses
and intensify the sun's rays. The solutions
are easily washed off when cloudy weather
sets in. Shading is rarely necessary after
the end of September. next alpine gardens overview
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