158 THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. [July, 



bluisli-green, linear bipinnate fronds, the pinna3 being short, and consisting of 7-9 

 spreading linear pinnules about f of an inch long, or rather more. The stipes 

 is dark chestnut brown, and the fronds are tufted on the decumbent caudex, the 

 growing point of which is conspicuously scaly. 



P. BELLUM somewhat resembles P. hrachypterum^ but though of the same erect, 

 rigid habit, and having similar linear bipinnate fronds, it is more slender in growth, 

 and has more numerous shorter pinnules. The fronds sometimes become 

 bipinnate at the base, and the short ovate pinnae consist of 9-13 narrow oblong 

 linear pinnules half an inch long, the basal ones being occasionally forked, and 

 sometimes ternate. The pinnules are drawn full large in the figure. 



Both species will be well worth introducing into choice collections of green- 

 house ferns, for though too small to compare for general effect with some of our 

 well-known favourites, they will be found to occupy a prominent place amongst 

 those which are characterised by neatness and compactness of growth, in this 

 respect associating well with such feras as Nothochlcena nivea and the smaller 

 species of Cheilanthes. — T. M. 



GARDENING FOR THE LABOURING POOR. 



'OME benevolent gentlemen in Manchester have lately inaugurated a revival 

 in floriculture among the dingy dwellings of the deserving poor, by 

 providing, in the first instance, the means of cultivating the Hyacinth ; the 

 flower-pot, the bulb, and even the earth, have all been supplied by the 

 benevolent donors, the only condition necessary to secure a pot or two for trial 

 being the wish to succeed. This experiment is, indeed, floriculture under no 

 ordinary difficulties, and whoever succeeds will soon be fit to be trusted with 

 better things. 



It is needful to introduce the element of profit into the revival, but let mo 

 first name a few experiments to encourage beginners. The late Mr. Loudon once 

 showed me some Turnips, Carrots, Beet, &c., the roots of which, wrong side up, 

 had been hollowed out, and in this state, top downwards, neatly suspended each by 

 three strings. When they began to sprout, the leaves enclosed and hid the roots ; 

 and the plant with its cup of water continued to grow in the unusual fashion. 

 The Turnip, the Eed Beet, and the Yellow Carrot, when treated in this manner, 

 became elegant drawing-room ornaments. 



But utilitarians will regard this as unprofitable. Suppose, then, that the 

 tyro in gardening becomes an amateur grower of Small Salading, trusting that 

 by perseverance for the space of three weeks (the time hens take to hatch 

 chickens) his salad herbs will then be fit for the table. Gentle reader, bear a little 

 with the tyro and his instructor, for this experiment has to be done without 

 field or garden, without earth or any kind of manure, and for at least two-thirds 

 of the time without light. This last peculiarity is indeed the very heart and 

 soul of the mystery. Take an ordinary dinner plate, value one penny, and as 

 much rag, quite clean, and wet, as will just cover the bottom of it — woollen 



