366 THE GARDENER. [Aug. 



DAVALIjIA mooreana. 



This is one of the most beautiful Ferns that has been introduced into 

 this country. It grows to a large size, and is of the most graceful 

 habit, and may certainly be regarded as the king or queen of all Davallias. 

 Although it produces fronds 3 feet in length, its subdivisions are so 

 very small and numerous, and so beautifully green, combined with the 

 triangular and graceful arching form of the fronds, that it is as really 

 elegant as it is large. It requires stove-heat, and grows with great 

 rapidity when liberally treated. I have found it do best in equal 

 portions of fibry peat and loam, with a sprinkling of silver-sand and 

 charcoal. It requires a good supply of water when growing vigorously, 

 and an occasional watering of weak dung-water. It requires to be 

 grown in a wide-mouthed pot to give it room to extend and throw up 

 its vigorous fronds. AVherever there are half-a-dozen stove Ferns cul- 

 tivated, this should be one of them, for it is not only beautiful as a 

 large specimen, but most useful as a decorative plant for rooms when 

 in small pots with only half-a-dozen fronds. It will be very exten- 

 sively cultivated ere long, the same as common Adiantums for decor- 

 ative purposes. The segments are so minutely and neatly subdivided 

 that it is most suitable for bouquets, and intermingling with cut-flowers 

 in vases. D. T. 



HYBRID RHODODElSrDIlOJSrS. 



Every year the true admirers of beautiful plants are becoming more 

 and more enamoured with the splendour displayed in hybrid Rhodo- 

 dendrons. Their utility in the open ground as decorative plants is so 

 well known that any comment by us would only be a superfluity. 



When the weather proves favourable to their proper development 

 out of doors, the effect is simply magnificent ; but under the protec- 

 tion of glass — no matter about the weather — in them we have an 

 embodiment of much that is lovely, chaste, and noble, to an ex- 

 tent exhibited in few other flowering shrubs. These eminent quali- 

 ties are not alone the means of commanding such universal esteem ; to 

 their credit we must add that they are exceedingly tractable in the 

 forcing-house, besides the unusual length of time they may be had in 

 flower throughout the year. For example, with us this season, from 

 jSTew Year's Day to Midsummer Day, we have had an uninterrupted 

 display under glass — not a break in the succession of bloom, one 

 variety or other having its offering of flowers daily for the bouquet. 

 Now, without saying more by way of commendation, we shall advise 

 those who have not a collection for their conservatory to form one at 



