1S« 



JOURNAL OP HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



[ Fcbruar 21, 1865. 



in one of the earlier chapters. I have named it " Elfina." I 

 have shown it to a great authority on Ferns, who calls it 

 " near alpina;" but I believe the acuteness of its teeth 

 remove it entirely from alpina, and the division of the fronds 

 from any other named species. 



The recollection of Ulleswatcr and Patterdale is very 

 pleasant to me; the silver mines and the Asplenium viride 

 give it an individuality of its own. 



Derwentwater is also lovely, and there are many magni- 

 ficent excursions te be made from it. I saw the waterfall of 

 Lowdore at its best; the snowy waters were playing all 

 sorts of freaks in the gleaming sunlight, spaikling with fun 

 as they caught his rays, and darting back foam and spray 

 from the sober rocks which stand steady "and firm amidst 

 the " muttering and sputtering " uproar. I spent one day 

 hunting for Ferns in Bon-owdale, and found Asplenium 

 septentrionale on the Castle Rock, but only in very small 

 roots. From the way in which it was growing I have no 

 doubt that it may be found in some quantities in the 

 neighbourhood. Asplenium germanicum is also to be found 



in Borrowdale; but the guides are such diligent seekers- 

 they scour all the accessible places, leaving very little for 

 timid climbers. In the neighbourhood ol Castle Rock Hy- 

 menophyllum Wilsoni grows in abundance. It may be 

 found in long trailing masses hanging to the damp rock. 



If I visit the Lakes again I hope to find both Asplenium 

 septentrionale and germanicum about Honister Crag, where 

 I believe it has several times been seen. Who can tell the 

 glories of the mountain paths in the>district round Honister, ■ 

 where waterfall answers waterfall, and bleak dreary moors 

 melt into sweet homeland scenes ; where children play about 

 the cottage doors, and join their voices with waterfall and 

 mountain in one grand Te Deum, for ever ascending from a 

 gi-ateful earth to the tlirone of Nature's God in heaven ? I 

 know not why it is that mountain districts sliould have so 

 soothing a power upon the mind ; but there is something in 

 their vastness and their stillness that seems to hush all 

 rebel thoughts, and bow the heart of the created in simple, 

 unquestioning awe at the feet of the Creator. — Filis- 



FCEHINA. 



STEAWBEEET FOECING. 



{Concluded from page 111.) 



The essentials in forcing Strawberries are an abundance 

 of light, close proximity to the glass, ample ventilation, and 

 if possible air beneath them. Nothing is so good as shelves 

 about 15 inches from the glass, one along the front and 

 another at the back of a vinery. Where there is a quantity 

 to force it becomes a question how the plants are to be 

 accommodated. Stages when near the glass are good ; but 

 the best plan in my opinion is to have shelves fixed by hold- 

 fasts to the roof, as shown in the accompanying engravings. 



The roofs are steep ; the shelves inch deals, 9 inches wide, 

 and on thes e are laid turves, 11 inch thick, grass side 

 downwards. The holdfasts are quarter-inch iron, 1 inch 

 wide, and the end next the rafter is punched with two screw 

 holes, and fastened to the rafter. The lower end is bent 

 at right angles, and has a i-ounded threaded point that 

 passes through a hole in the holdfast next below it, and a 

 nut screwed on keeps it in its place. This will be easily 

 understood by a reference to the woodcuts. Any one with a 



little ingenuity will be able to have them made, and, I have 

 no doubt, to improve upon them. The points Bccured are 

 close proximity to the gloas, and a circulation of air under 

 and everywhere about the i>lant8. Strawberries may be 

 grown, I am aware, without shelves j but they never do so 

 well as when near the glass, and elevated so as to receive 



air from beneath. I have had them in pits close to the 

 glass, but not having the undercurrent of air they did not 

 alFoid nearly so good a crop as plants on shelves with air 

 pla.ving all round them. 



AVhen very early fruit is desired the plants should be 

 placed on, or slightly plunged in, a bed of leaves made suffi- 



