THE FLOEAL WOELD AND GAEDEN GUIDE. 



193 



collection. Unfortunately, the frost j colour is a pretty tone of pale green, 



in the winter killed it, which is the 

 more surprising because some ferns 

 reputed to be much more tender, as, 

 for example, Pleopeltis membranacea 

 and "Rhipidopteris peltata, both of 

 which survived the freezing, and are 

 now in grand condition. Asplenium 

 viviparum is one of the most elegant 

 and distinct of case ferns, and should 

 be secured at the first start, for it is 

 not at all particular about the treat- 

 ment it has, short of actual roasting 

 or freezing. 



15. A. fragrans. — The triangular 

 light green arching fronds are pleas- 

 ing, and it is a good fern for begin- 

 ners, but there is nothing remarkable 

 about its appearance. It requires 

 rather liberal ventilation. 



16. A. Belungeri. — The finely di- 

 vided arching fronds of a rich deep 

 green colour, dotted here and there 

 with young plants, render this a per- 

 fect gem. It requires warmth, and 

 wanting that, soon goes wrong. It is, 

 therefore, quite unfit for cases that 

 are neglected, but in those carefully 

 kept, and regularly supplied with hot 

 water, it is one of the most useful 

 ferns known. 



17. A.flabellifolium. — A charming 

 little species, that runs about rock- 

 work like a wild strawberry, though 

 a thousand times prettier. The fronds 

 are long and whip-like, once-divided, 

 the divisions being sometimes in 

 pairs, and sometimes alternate. The 



and the surface shines as if varnished. 

 Each frond terminates in a miniature 

 plant, which takes root immediately 

 if it touches some moist surface ; and 

 the quickest way to increase the stock 

 is to peg them down. "We have this 

 pretty fern growing fifty different 

 ways, and the best way of all is in a 

 case suspended in a perforated pot or 

 cocoa-nut shell, from which the fronds 

 dangle like ringlets. 



18. A. marinum is a fine fern for 

 beginners, being cheap, easily ma- 

 naged, and very distinct and hand- 

 some. It loves the close, damp atmo- 

 sphere of a case not often ventilated, 

 and soon forms a cluster of crowns, 

 and acquires a most luxuriant ap- 

 pearance. Mr. Sim sent me, two 

 years ago, a variety called erecta, 

 which produces taller and more erect 

 fronds than the species. Mr. Sim's 

 plant is now in the centre of a vase, 

 under a glass lantern, and is a very 

 beautiful object. 



19. A. angustifolium makes a very 

 good centre-piece for beginners, but is 

 not choice enough for those who have 

 made any progress in the management 

 of fern-cases. In the cool fern-house 

 it is a grand species, but in the case 

 never attains its proper grandeur. 



20. A. Michauxii. — A very nice 

 fern when young, but soon grows 

 too large for a case. The fronds are 

 beautifully divided, and they die off 

 a rich purple colour. S. H. 



{To he continued. 



ELOWEJtt SHOWS IN JULY. 



ECSAL BOTANIC GARDENS, JlILY 



2. — This brought the season to a close 

 at the Hoyal Botanic with the finest 

 show of the season, lovely weather, 

 and a brilliant company. The bIiow 

 was rich, full, choice in character, 

 thoroughly refined, and most instruc- 

 tive and entertaining in all its more 

 important details. Orchids were plen- 

 tifully shown, and were mostly in 

 fine condition. In the departments 

 for stove and greenhouse plants, and 

 nursery novelties, interesting exam- 



ples of new or rare forms of vegeta- 

 tion literally abounded. The fruit 

 and cut flowers filled the long corridor 

 tent leading to Mr. John Waterer's 

 exhibition of rhododendrons. 



Stove and Greenhouse Plants.— 

 The two leading amateur exhibitors 

 were Mr. Whitebread, gardener to 

 H. Colyer, Esq., Dartford — extra 

 gold medal for sixteen plants, and 

 Mr. F. Gilbert, gardener to E. L. 

 M'Murdo, Esq., Castle Down House, 

 Hastings — large gold medal for six- 



