Gymnocladus 



( 393 ) 



Gymnogramme 



distinguished by opposite leaves, milky juice, and 

 yellowish or whitish flowers. The milky juice of 

 some specie* is collected by some Asiatic races 

 and used in the same way as cow's milk. Cuttings 

 root readily in a close, warm propagating case, and 

 a mixture of fibrous peat and loam suits them. 

 Principal Species : 



tenacissiina (wr Mars- 

 denia tenacissima). 



acuininatum, }'2' , sum., 



ycl. 

 creuatum, 10', sum , yel. 



GYM N OCLADUS. 



Hardy treus from North America (ord. Legu- 

 EQinotEB). The only species cultivated is canadensis, 

 the Kentucky Coffee Tree. It grows to a height 

 of 30', and has white flowers. When young the 

 stems ave whitish. It is increased from seeds, and 

 grows well in loamy soil. 



GYMNOGRAMME. 



Description. A large and important genus of 

 Ferns (/v/. Filices), chiefly natives of tropical 

 countries, and thus requiring for the most part a 

 stove temperature in cultivation. A few may be 

 grown in a cool house, including the annual species 

 leptophylla. which is scattered through the warmer 

 temperate regions of the globe, and approaches 

 the British Islands as close as Jersey. The popular 

 name of Gold and Silver Ferns applied to the 

 Gymnogrammes is due to the presence of a 

 fine white or golden powder, with which the 

 under surfaces of the fronds are plentifully be- 

 sprinkled. 



Propagation. By spores. Gymnogrammes pro- 

 duce an abundance of spores, and these germinate 

 witli great freedom wherever a fair amount of 

 moisture and heat is to be obtained. It is a curious 

 fact that they will grow upon the stages, in crannies 

 in the walls, and between the spars of wooden 

 floor trellises, when they will refuse to grow in 

 pots of carefully sterilised soil. The propagation 

 of the rarer species and varieties should not, how- 

 ever, be left to chance. The sterilising of the soil, 

 although not absolutely necessary, is advisable. 

 The spores should only be sprinkled upon soil (not 

 covered) that has been previously watered, and 

 each pot should be covered with a sheet of glass. 

 This glass should be removed daily, and the con- 

 densed moisture upon it wiped off. Subsequent, 

 watering^, should they prove necessary, should be 

 given by standing the pot or pan in a few inches of 

 water for an hour or two. 



Soil. A light, and yet rich, medium is necessary. 

 One-third each of good loam, peat, and leaf soil. 

 with plenty of sand, will answer well. Some 

 growers mix Cocoanut fibre refuse with the com- 

 post, but this is not to be recommended, except 

 for young plants which will soon be given another 

 shift, as the fibre has a tendency to turn sour, and 

 react unfavourably upon the tender roots. Older 

 plants may have a little more loam given to them, 

 but in any case it must be fibrous, and not clayey 

 or sticky. 



Other Cultural Points. Gymnogramraes are 

 regarded as being difficult to grow, and to ..unr 

 extent this is true. An hour's neglect in watering 

 a dry plant on a hot day means IN death ; for once 

 the fronds flag they rarely recover, and the fine 

 roots are equally tender. Many a fine specimen 

 has been killed in this way. The plants must have 

 plenty of water at the roots at all times. They 

 are equally impatient of the other extreme a 



water-logged soil. The fronds should never be 

 sprinkled with water, and even the damping of the 

 stages, which is so beneficial to other Ferns, should 

 be avoided. Liquid cow manure may be given 

 about once a week to vigorously growing plants in 

 summer, but stimulants are highly injurious to 

 them in winter. Gymnogrammes have a strong 

 dislike to draughts, and on that account do not 

 make good subjects for rooms or corridors. The 

 ventilation of the houses must be managed with 

 the greatest eare, and anything like a cold current 

 of air avoided. 



To Resuscitate Unhealthy Specimens. Some- 

 times an old and apparently worn-out plant may 

 be given a new lease of life by shaking it out of 

 the old soil and planting it temporarily in a bed of 

 Cocoanut fibre refuse, with bottom heat. To 

 attempt to reduce old specimens, and pot them up 

 in the usual way at once, is to sign their death 



GYMXOGKAMMF. POLCIIKLLA VAR. WKTTEXIIALLIANV 

 ( p. s4). 



warrant. They never do any good. Young plants, 

 it may be noted, are always much easier to grow 

 than old ones ; in fact, most Gymnogrammes -inn 

 to have a very limited life. Young plants should 

 thus be continually raised from spores. 



Gymnogrammes as Basket Ferns. From the 

 pendent and sub-pendent habit of the fronds 

 Gymnogrammes make excellent basket plants, 

 always provided that the water question receives 

 due attention. The best of all for the purpose .-m 

 clegaiitissiina ami srhizophylln, and the lalter'.- 

 variety gloriosa. Decomposita is hardier, but 

 scarcely so elegant. Some of the crested varieties 

 of calomelanos and pulchella are also suitable for 

 basket work. 



