THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 207 



respective species. If they are unable to do Wm, they can copy out 

 this list and send, it to a nursery, with a full assurance of having 

 varieties beautiful in appearance and distinct in character. 



The case was first prepared by placing a layer of crocks over 

 the bottom. The crocks were broken rather small, and spread over 

 to a depth of about two or three inches. Over the depression in the 

 centre they are rather deeper, and next to the zinc a i'ew larger 

 pieces are put to facilitate the escape of the water. The crocks 

 were covered in the usual way to prevent the soil runniuo- down 

 between them, and for this purpose we employed moss obtained 

 from a shady bank. The case was then filled to the top of the base 

 with a mixture of equal parts turf}'^ loam and peat, and a fourth part 

 of sand and small crocks in about equal proportion. The ferns were 

 then planted at regular distances apart, and medium-aized rugo-ed- 

 looking pieces of sandstone, which I happened to have by me, put 

 somewhat irregularly between on the surface. This addition relieves 

 the flatness presented by the even surface of the soil, and the ferns 

 have a more natural appearance, and altogether appear to greater 

 advantage. 



The only attention I have found them to require has been the 

 usual watering, and the removal of decaying fronds. When they 

 are watered, the top is left off until the fronds are partly dry again; 

 for if the atmosphere is kept too close and moist, the young fronds 

 will sometimes decay. In the summer they are watered overhead, 

 but in the winter the water is poured upon the soil, and the fronds 

 are wetted as little as possible. With this simple management I 

 have a case of ferns that cannot be surpassed by a similar case of 

 the choicest exotics. Those of which I have given the names are by 

 no means common ; and as a reference to a catalogue will show, 

 they are more expensive than many of the exotics. I must not be 

 understood as recommending any one to fill cases for the drawing- 

 room with the common kinds that may be found in plenty in the 

 hedgerows, for they are much too coarse, and altogether un- 

 desirable. E. A. 



RHYNCHANTHERA GRANDIFLORA. 



]HYNCHANTHERA GRANDIFLORA, which forms 

 the subject of the accompanying illustration, belongs 

 to a family of plants comprising the Lasiandras and 

 Pleromas, and like these and other Melastomads, it is 

 remarkable for its free growth and attractive character 

 when in bloom. It is a sub-shrubby species, native of North 

 Brazil and Guiana, and as in the case of Lasiandra macrantha fiori- 

 iunda, which is also a native of the Brazils, it requires a stove tem- 

 perature to maintain it in a healthy condition. The flowers, which 

 are produced in terminal panicles, are of a deep rose ; and, as may 

 be readily inferred, good specimens are, when in bloom, wonder- 

 fully attractive. 



Jaly. 



