40 Greenhouse and Stove Plants. 
AN(CTOCHILUS, 
that of the well-known British Fern, 
Osmunda regalis. 
For propagation and cultivation, see 
Ferns, general details of culture. 
A, collina. Brazil. 
A, flecuosa. South America. 
A. tomentosa. 
ANGIOPTERIS EVECTA. 
A very distinct-looking and handsome 
stove species of the genus Angiopteris, 
which should be grown by all who form 
collections of Ferns. It comes from the 
Society Islands. For propagation and culti- 
vation, see Ferns, general details of culture. 
ANCECTOCHILUS. 
Although Ancectochili attain a height 
of only a few inches, and in this respect 
are insignificant, compared with many of 
the noble stove fine-foliaged plants now in 
cultivation, they may nevertheless be 
justly termed the gems of the vegetable 
kingdom, so exquisiteis the network of veins 
which covers their leaves. Ancectochili 
are found in both the Eastern and Western 
hemispheres, but the kinds which possess 
the richest leaf-colouring come from the 
East, the silvery-veined sorts in most cases 
belonging to the West. Unfortunately 
they are generally found difficult to cul- 
tivate ; though they can often be increased 
and made to grow well for a time, it not 
unfrequently happens that they sicken and 
die off, even in the hands of those who 
have been most successful with them, and 
this without any change in their treatment 
or remission of attention ; these facts point 
to something wrong as regards management. 
The flowers that Ancectochili produce are 
insignificant, and on that account no one 
cares about them. Therefore, in place of 
subjecting the plants to alternate periods 
of growth and rest, as in the case of other 
Orchids appreciated for their bloom, they 
are generally pushed on to make growth 
so as to increase their numbers as quickly 
as possible. For a good many years we 
grew all the best varieties in a house that 
could not be kept higher than 60° at night 
during winter, and from a small stock soon 
had pans of setaceus, Lowii, xanthophyllus 
and others, 16 inches across, filled as full as 
they could hold with plants unusually 
strong ; but as soon as we gave them more 
warmth in winter, and consequently less 
rest, they failed to do so well. 
They are increased by cuttings made 
from their fleshy stems, which should be 
cut into pieces consisting of one or two 
joints each. Divide the pieces midway 
between the joints—not at the joint, as in 
the case of most other plants. They may 
be propagated at any time during spring 
or summer, but propagation is best carried 
out before growth commences, about the 
end of February. Sphagnum chopped 
fine, three parts to one of fibrous matter from 
good Orchid peat, with some sand and small 
crocks or charcoal, is the best material in 
which to grow them. 3-inch pots, well 
drained, and filled with this compost, will 
hold two or three cuttings, the roots of 
which, if there be any, should be inserted 
in the soil, and the pieces pegged down 
horizontally, so as to almost imbed them 
in the compost, which ought to be pressed 
moderately firm and kept slightly moist, 
but not too wet. The little pots should be 
plunged in a larger pot or pan in a mixture 
of sphagnum and sand, and the whole 
covered with a bell-glass, which should be 
kept tilted half an inch or so to admit some 
air. They should be placed where there is 
plenty of light, but shaded from sunshine 
if it be at all powerful. A night tempera- 
ture of 60°, with an increase of 10° in the 
daytime, will be sufficient until the sun 
gets a little more power. Ina few weeks 
the buds will start, and soon form shoots 
and small leaves ; give water so as to keep 
the soil in a slightly moist condition, and 
in May increase the temperature at night 
to 65° or 66”, letting it run up to 80° or 85° 
in the daytime. It is a good plan to wipe 
the moisture from the inside of the glasses 
daily, as its removal lets in more light, an 
important matter as regards giving strength 
and solidity to the young growth; for 
although Ancectochili will grow fast in a 
semi-darkened place, the growth thus made 
is weak. A position close to the upright 
glass, either at the front or end of the 
house in which they are grown, is best 
calculated to keep them healthy, but they 
must not have a current of cold air ad- 
mitted near them, such as would enter if a 
light opposite to where they are placed 
were opened. The length of time it takes 
to produce full-sized crowns from cuttings 
like those described depends upon the 
strength of the plants from which the 
cuttings are made ; if the stems are thick, 
the young plants will make four or five 
leaves before autumn. 
The summer treatment is simply a con- 
tinuance of that just recorded. When in 
full growth they should, however, have 
more water, but they should never be 
allowed to get either too dry or too wet. 
In giving water, if any rest on the young 
unfolded leaves, it is well to blow it off. 
After the middle of September shade only 
when the sun is very bright. In the last 
ao 
