October 9, 1873. ) 



JOURNAL OF HORTICULTUKE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



free. In addition to the above characters the sori is marginal, 

 globose, reuiform, or oblong; the indiisium is formed by the 

 mar;,'iu of the frond becoming changed in texture, reflexed, 

 and thus covering the sori. From a cultural jioint of view this 

 is a very distinct and natural group, and all the species are 

 ■well deserving the attention of plant-growers ; for from among 

 the kinds now introduced in a living state to this country, 

 some may be found to suit the requirements of all, whether it 

 be for stove, greenhouse, or open-air fernery, either for pot or 

 basket cultivation ; whilst the fronds when cut form exquisite 

 dressings for a lady's hair, and also in the formation of bou- 

 quets. For this purpose select the mature fronds, otherwise 

 some disappointment will accrue by theii' shrivelling soon after 

 being cut. Some of my fair readers may say, " This writing 

 is very well, and may bo of great service to those enjoying the 

 luxury of a stove or greenhouse, but we have no such struc- 

 tures, yet appreciate the grace and beauty of Ferns quite as 

 keenly as those more fortunately situated." But believe me, 

 I have not forgotten that many a rich collection of these beau- 

 tiful plants is to be found in towns and cities, and I hope to 

 see them far more plentiful. Indeed, Ferns appear to me 

 pecuharly suited for window plants in situations where, through 

 want of sun, flowering plants will not succeed. 



The first thing to insist upon in the culture of Adiantums is 

 perfect drainage ; for although they delight in an abundant 

 supply of water, if it is allovred to he in the soil and become 

 stagnant death is sure to be the result. The soil which the 

 majority of these plants thrive best in is good fibrous peat, a 

 little light loam, and some sharp sand. When potting the 

 more delicate kinds, however, I usually dispense with the loam. 

 In preparing baskets for Ferns, the inside next the wire should 

 have a thick lining of living sphagnum moss, which serves to 

 hold the moisture, and at the same time prevents the soil 

 running through when the plants are watered. Baskets which 

 are constructed of other material will not, of course, require 

 lining in this way ; but it is of great benefit to any Ferns in 

 baskets to have a portion of sphagnum moss mixed with the 

 soil. 



To enable young beginners (for whose benefit these lines are 

 penned), to select such kinds as suit their peculiar tastes, I 

 have here enumerated some three dozen kinds, all of which 

 have some distinctive feature of their own to recommend them; 

 and for their guidance I have put them into groups, showing at 

 a glance the positions they may be placed in without danger. 



Gboop 1. — Species Suitable for Stove Cultivation:^ 



Forleyense loacrophyllum trapeziforme 



concinnam 'Willesianuin cardiochlteua 



teneroin pera^ianam pulverulentam 



Gboop 2. — Species Suitable for the Greenhouse : — 



cuneatum 



(.cftbrum 



Ghiesbieghtii 



Gboup 3. — Species Suitable for Wardian-case Culture : — 

 excisnm mnltifidani mbellam decorum 



cUDeatam t;etulosum cancmnuia latum 



Capillua-VcDerid Veitchii 



Grocp 4. — Species Suitable for Hanging Baskets : — 



Oitsimile canclatum colpodes 



Feei lonolatum (decidnoQS) flabeUolatom 



Group .5. — Species Suitable for the Decoration of Apartments 

 without the protection of a Wardian Case : — ■ 



fonuoHnm afiine cuneatum 



CanniDgbamii , hiapidulum fulvum 



Gkoup (i. — Hardy Species Suitable for Open-air Fernery : — 

 pcdalum veuustum 



EXPEBTO CUEDK. 



solphortium 



Slaacopbyllam 



falvonj 



reniforme 

 cbilense 

 concmnom latum 



and do their part in making it a success. It is expected that 

 the subscription fund will be very considerable, nud that the 

 prizes will be on a liberal and tempting scale. That the ex- 

 pectation alluded to is not unreasonable may be inferred from 

 the fact that already subscriptions, etc., amounting nearly to 

 £200 have been promised. Professor Youge, of Belfast, is at 

 present staying in Dublin, and from the interest be takes in 

 the matter, and his energetic action where v,-ork is to be done, 

 we anpreheud he wo'u't leave without feeling the pulse of 

 the metropolitan horticulturists, and securing then- sympathy 

 and support. Belfast has many advantages for the purpose, 

 and is very favourably located in respect of exhibitors coming 

 from England and Scotland; and doubtless, therefore, the 

 horticulture of both will be largely represented on Irish ;oil 

 next autumn. 



In fact, the leading horticulturists of the sister countries 

 have entered so warmly and in such a good spirit into the 

 matter that, as we are informed, the ultimate resolve come to 

 by the horticultural meeting recently held at Edinburgh w-as, 

 that the proposed Exhibition at Belfast be adopted as the 

 International Show of 1874. 



We are not aware v^bere it is proposed to hold the Show, 

 but presume it will be the Botanic Gardens. If so, we would 

 venture to throw out a hint that other and more secure accom- 

 modation be provided for the display of fruit than that afforded 

 by the frail roof which usually covers the show-ground. Plants 

 do not look the worse of a sUght sprinkling, should rain 

 come down ; but a washing by no means improves the bloom 

 or blush of Grapes or Peaches. Though, too, the tastefully- 

 arranged show-ground is well adapted for a gardenesque dis- 

 play of exhibition plants, it is not so for a show of either cut 

 flowers or fruit. Large marquees for the purpose, pitched on 

 the beautiful velvet sward, would be both effective and pic- 

 turesque. Measures should also be taken to relieve the fruit- 

 tables of a monotony such as formed one of the drawbaclis of 

 the great Show held'last month at Manchester. 



The session of the British Association for 1874 wiU open, we 

 believe, on or about August 19th ; consequently the proposed 

 Show will take place some day between that and its clo.^o on 

 August 26th. It will be well, both as regards metropolitan 

 and local fixtures for next year's autumn shows, that this 

 should be borne in mind, so as to leave exhibitors, and others 

 who would care to be present, free for the great gathering at 

 Belfast. — {Irhli Farmers' Gazette.) 



PROPOSED GREAT INTERNATIONAL FRUIT 

 SHOW AT BELFAST NEXT YEAR. 

 Eneboetic action is being taken with a view to holding a 

 Great International Fruit, Flower, and Plant Show next year 

 at Belfast, on occasion of the visit of the British Association 

 to the busy metropolis of Ulster. We are further informed 

 that not only has the project been warmly taken up and ap- 

 proved of by the horticultural element in the immediate locality, 

 but that cordial and substantial support has been promised 

 by several leading members of the trade, as also by many of 

 the foremost horticulturists both in England and Scotland. 

 There is little room to doubt but that Irish horticulturists out- 

 side the northern province will enter warmly into the project 



NASH COURT, 



The Seat of ,1. P. Lade, Esq. 



The traveller to Dover by the Loudon, Chatham, and Dover 

 Railway, will notice on emerging from a rather long tujinel 

 which he enters after leaving Chatham, that the country is 

 somewhat flat, especially to the left of the line, but by the 

 luxuriance of the crops ho will perceive at a glance that the 

 land is good and and well managed, at the same time the 

 absence of trees in many places gives it a somewhat naked ap- 

 pearance in winter. The extensive district known as the Isle 

 of Sheppey, as well as a considerable tract adjoining the inlets 

 of salt water which constitute the island so called, is only a 

 few feet above high-water mark, and the elevations ver\' un- 

 important until the chalky or gravelly hills which boun'l the 

 railway on the right are gained. But this tract of land has 

 long been remarkable for its fertility and for good cultivation, 

 and its produce whether of Wheat, of which there are large 

 breadths, or of Potatoes, which are also extensively grown. 

 Hops are less cultivated, but like the grain and Potatoes are 

 generally of the best quality. I must not. omit to notic; the 

 fruit, which in some seasons has an especial claim on our 

 notice, for at Sittingbourne, an improving little town on the 

 route, we are told the Cherry was first cultivated in England, 

 and there are large plantations of that fruit now in the neigh- 

 bourhood; and there, too, the antiquarian will find many 

 objects of interest. Though those who delight iu rugged and 

 varied scenery may not find this tract iu accordance with their 

 tastes, the lover of good farming will do so, and even the 

 former will bv-and-by, as the train proceeds further eastward, 

 find the country more diversified by hill and dale, with no lack 

 of timber to give it a clothed appearance. This is more tspe- 

 ciallv the case as one approaches Faversham, where I con- 

 template making a halt ; and further on there is plenty of 

 variety in surface before reaching the ancient city of Can- 

 terbury. 



Nash Court is two or three miles from Faversham station. 



