i88i.] PTERIS UMBROSA. 131 



berries. The shape into which the plants are to be trained depends 

 on the tastes of growers. Suffice it to say, that the more they are 

 pinched in the early stages of growth, the more dense and bushy they 

 become ; but if pinched too late in the season, the crop of berries is 

 likely to be small. I never pinch after the end of IVIay, and those that 

 are pinched then I do not expect to colour their berries in time for 

 Christmas. I may remark that by ceasing to pinch the plants at dif- 

 ferent times a succession of crops is kept up. 



This is a moisture - loving plant, and must not at any time be 

 allowed to suffer for want of water, or it will receive a check that 

 will stunt its growth for the season, and will most likely be at 

 the same time attacked with red - spider. If this pest puts in 

 an appearance on the foliage, let it be at once dealt with by the 

 vigorous use of the syringe, using water into which some sulphur has 

 been mixed on two or three consecutive evenings. Green-fly, however, 

 is the most persistent enemy of the Solanum ; and I find that if the 

 plants are syringed at intervals of a fortnight with Gishurst's Com- 

 pound and paraffin-oil, at the rate of 6 or 7 ounces of the former 

 and a wine-glassful of the latter, to the gallon of water, at SO'' or 85"^, 

 green-fly does not molest the plants. When they have thoroughly 

 well-filled their fruiting-pots with roots, they should be watered with 

 manure-water nearly every time they require watering. 



Those who may be impatient of the care and attention necessary to 

 rear plants from seed, can purchase plants, and as soon as the berries 

 have been cut, or have dropped off, can prune the plants into shape : 

 cutting them well back, they may be placed in a temperature of 60°, 

 where they soon break into fresh growth. They should then have all 

 the old soil shaken from their roots, and the latter pruned, when they 

 may be potted into pots just sufficiently large to hold their roots com- 

 fortably, and afterwards shifted into any desirable size of pots. To make 

 their chief growth, they should be placed on a well-sheltered border, 

 where they will have all the sunshine possible. The pots should be 

 plunged to the rim in coal-ashes, taking care that there is ample drain- 

 age to keep them clear of stagnant water. In other respects the treat- 

 ment necessary for young plants is applicable to these. 



J. Peoctok. 



The Priory Gardens. 



PTERIS UMBROSA. 



Considering the great demand for ornamental plants for all sorts of 

 decorative purposes, it is matter for surprise that this most useful and 

 ornamental Australian Fern is not cultivated to a greater extent. It 

 can be grown into large plants in comparatively small pots, and is, con- 

 sequently, a most suitable Fern for furnishing vases and baskets. It 

 grows, when shifted on into 10- or 12-inch pots, 3 feet high. Its fronds 



