5U THE GARDENER. [Dec. 



a strong-grown plant is most effective. It is also one of the most use- 

 fulfor cutting from, Curvatum is another indispensable species : it is 

 quite a treat to see a good plant of this. The fronds grow in sets, one 

 set growing a few inches above the previously developed one. The 

 pinna? are curved backwards, and in the young state are of a metallic 

 olive-green colour. Curvatum 7mist be grown in dense shade to prosper, 

 the least glimpse of sun effectually destroying its beauty. Setulosum 

 is a small-growing and lovely species, the fronds having the same 

 metallic lustre as the last. Pedatum is a handsome cool-house species, 

 and suitable for exhibition. Hispidulum is another of the same 

 section ; the young fronds are coloured : altogether a nice species, 

 requiring a stove temperature to do well. Pubescens and diaphanum 

 are in general appearance much alike, though quite distinct ; they are 

 both useful for cutting from, and do best in a stove. Caudatum is 

 distinct from all others we know. It may be grown in a basket or a 

 pot suspended in the stove. 



It must be borne in mind that although this genus does not object 

 to a humid atmosphere when growing, yet they decidedly object to 

 being syringed : they ought to have a side of the stove, or wherever 

 they are grown, entirely to themselves, associating Gymnogrammas 

 and ^othocliltenas with them. Green-fly sometimes infests them ; in 

 such cases gentle fumigations with tobacco must be resorted to ; but 

 the more delicate species especially are averse to tobacco, therefore 

 great caution is necessary in using it. Scale will be troublesome 

 only if it is allowed to prosper on other plants in the same house, and 

 must be carefully destroyed, without injury to the fronds. 



E. P. B. 



WINTER BEDDING. 



In the interesting article on " Winter Bedding" in your last number, 

 I observe " Daphne cneorum " is recommended for that purpose. Al- 

 low me to protest against such an abuse of this plant : it hates being 

 meddled with, and particularly at this season. Although its dwarf ness 

 might tempt the employment of it for edgings, its habit is quite un- 

 suitable for that purpose, and I venture to assert that a permanent 

 place, in a not prominent bed, where it can have the peat it loves, and 

 be left undisturbed, and with room to layer it, is its right place ; and 

 for winter work, plants less scarce than this delicious old Daphne has 

 become, should be used. 



Again I have failed to see or hear of " Skimmia Japonica " keep- 

 ing on its berries during the winter, either in England or Scotland ; 

 and to all my inquiries the same answer is invariably given, that they 

 drop off. Eor a winter drawing-room plant it is invaluable, better in 



