234 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



berries has occurred. I have not always been so free in removing 

 the bunches as now, and over-cropping may have been the cause ; but 

 has not the heavy syringing which is customary in many vineries 

 something to do with it, through the moisture laying upon aud 

 rotting the stems of the berries. Before the present season, my 

 vines were drenched two or three times a day, except when in bloom ; 

 but in consequence of a remark in your valuable work, not a drop of 

 water has reached the foliage or berries this year, and the only 

 moisture in the house has been produced by wetting the tile flooring 

 several times a day. 



I may add, much to my own satisfaction, that my vinery, started 

 the middle of March, and pushed on very gradually, with abundance 

 of ventilation during the day and a little at night, now presents a 

 very handsome appearance, being well furnished with healthy foliage 

 and fiuely-shaped bunches, varying from eight to twelve inches in 

 length, on which the berries (now about half developed) are free 

 from rust, finger marks, or any other disfigurement. This is their 

 present state, but I must not " crow before I am out of the wood," 

 and every grape grower knows the most serious disasters generally 

 appear after this stage. If my remarks are likely to prove useful to 

 others, or elicit information, please insert at your convenience. 

 Biiital Road, Birmingham. Amateur. 



TODEA WILKESIANA. 



HE beautiful miniature TreeEernto which we have now 

 much pleasure in directing the attention of our readers, 

 was first discovered in Ovolan, one of the Fiji Islands, 

 by the botanist attached to an exploring expedition, 

 sent out by the United States of America. It is allied 

 to the beautiful Todea Fraseri, which is now known as one of the 

 most beautiful of filmy ferns ; but it is of larger growth and has an 

 arborescent habit. The trunks of the native specimens are said to 

 range from eighteen to twenty inches in height, and about an inch 

 and a half in diameter, and are usually surmounted\vith about 

 twelve broad lanceolate fronds, two feet in length, and most elegant 

 in outline. The parent plant (of which the accompanying illustra- 

 tion is a most excellent portrait) in the possession of Messrs. 

 Veitch and Sons, of the Royal Exotic JNursery, King's Road, 

 Chelsea, to whom the honour of the introduction to English gardens 

 of this fine fern is due, has a trunk about twelve inches in length, 

 and an inch in diameter, which, surmounted by its elegant plumy 

 fronds, gives it an indescribably charming appearance. It was 

 found principally growing in the humid forests of the island referred 

 to above; and like its congeners Todea Fraseri and Todea (Leii- 

 topteris) sujjerba, will under cultivation require a close damp 

 situation in the fern-house, unless it is grown, as it should be, in a 

 glass case, in the same manner as the above-mentioned species are 

 usually cultivated. The present species is now in course of distri- 

 bution by Messrs. Veitch and Sons, and is certainly well worthy 

 of a place in the most select collection of stove ferns. 



