THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 217 



this purpose I prefer a moveable or running shade to one tacked on for several 

 montlis too;ether in summer. The fronds of these and many exotic ferns are apt in 

 dull weather, when too much shaded to damp, ere they become properly developed, in 

 many instances causing the leaves to assume the appearance of having been clipped. 

 Neither should they be syringed overhead ; sufficient moisture can be obtained by 

 moistening the paths, etc., when required ; indeed I never like to have that evapo- 

 ration taking place in a fernery which is unavoidable in other houses, such as plant 

 stoves or vineries, etc. While the latter require a free circulation of air, I generally 

 find ferns to grow most luxuriantly in a rather subdued atmosphere, though this 

 must not be carried to an excess, lest the air become stagnant 3 and although it is 

 necessary to keep a fernery somewhat closer in the growing season than the houses 

 just named, yet I do not recommend any one to shut up a fernery very early in the 

 afternoon. In watei-ing ferns, a liberal supply should be given in summer, and while 

 they are in active growth ; indeed, if ever they suffer from want of it, they receive a 

 check which often spoils the appearance of the plants for the season. When the 

 period of growth is over ia the autumn, they must be gradually prepared for a season 

 of rest by withholding water at the root and reducing the temperature. After this I 

 have generally found it necessary in winter to remove Gymnogrammas from the 

 fernery (wliich in some cases has not a south aspect) to a house so situated, Avhere 

 they may receive more light and sun ; without this they are difficult to winter suc- 

 cessfully. The temperature of their winter quarters should run from 50' to 55° by 

 night ; in this position they must never have an excess of water at the root, neither 

 will they require any moisture in the atmosphere of the house. If the foregoing 

 remarks are carefully attended to, plants 3 feet in diameter, and well filled up with 

 beautiful healthy fronds, may be grown in a couple of seasons. The sort of soil I 

 have found best is two parts light turfy peat, one light turfy loam, a little silver sand, 

 and a few pieces of broken freestone ; but they will also do well in peat alone with 

 one-fifth part of silver sand added. J. R. 



NEW PLANTS. 



jDIANTUM SCUTUM (Eibherd) .—This beautiful Adiantum has been 

 raised by Mr. Robert T. Veitch, of the Nursery, New North Road, Exeter. 

 It will, perhaps, revive the discussion of the interesting question of the 

 existence of fern hybrids, for it partakes largely of the characters of A. 

 Farleyense and A. trapeziforme, yet is quite distinct from both. In 

 habit it assimilates directly with Farleyense, the stipes and rachis being black and 

 polished, and the pinnie rather distant, but it differs in the pinnules being smaller 

 and less deeply crenated. It is named scutum from the regular escutcheon outline 

 of the terminal pinnules, a form to which the others approximate very nearly. But 

 whereas the terminal pinnule is of regular outline, the superior margin being semi- 

 circular, and the two inferior margins forming a crescentic wedge, those constituting 

 the remainder of the pinna are unequally sided, and their superior margins are 

 deeply crenated. This beautiful fern becomes fruitful at an early age, young plants 

 with only one frond fully developed, presenting sori on all the pinnules. These are 

 oblong, prominent, with linear indusium, and their rich brown colour adds much to 

 the beauty of the pale green fronds. This is a valuable addition to this much- 

 admired genus of ferns, and will take high rank in the series of adiantums adapted 

 for exhibition. It appears to be of more hardy constitution than A. Farleyense, and 

 is scarcely inferior to tiiat magnificent fern in beauty. 



Amakyllis Pardixa, Spotted-floioered Amaryllis (Bof. Mag. t. 5645). — 

 Amaryllideas. A magnificent species, discovered in Peru by Mr. Pearce, collector 

 to Messrs. Veitch and Son, of Chelsea. The flowers are of great size, opening to a 

 flat face, the ground colour is yellow, richly covered with small red spots. It is a 

 stove plant of the most easy cultivation. 



Bletia Siierrattiana, Sherratfs Bletia (Bot. Mag. t. 5646). — Orchidese. 

 This is the prettiest of the true Bletias. It is a native of New Granada, whence it 

 has been imported by Messrs. Low and Co. The flowers are produced in a terminal 

 mass of a dozen or more, they are of a bright purplish rose colour. The Cattleya 

 house appears to be the proper place for this Bletia. 



