102 



JOOBNiL OF HOBTICULIUBE AND COTTAGE GAiiDENEi. 



[ August 3, 1876. 



There are very few foliage plants that can be introduced into 

 the fernery. I would recommend only plants of dwarf habit, 

 such as Psnicum variegatum, a very pretty Grass, with pink, 

 white, and green foliage ; and a small variety of Bambusa. 

 Cyperus alternifolius var. is quite pretty when a small plant, 

 but the growth is almost too rapid for a Fern case of an ordinary 

 size. The foliage is light and graceful, and contrasts prettily 

 with Ferns. It is a charming plant for the Wardian case. 



Bockwork in a ease of the size Just described has a very 

 pretty effect when well arranged, Ibis is a difficult matter to 

 accomplish, and I generally prefer the case filled with plants 

 rather than rocks, though for variety I occasionally introduce 

 them. I use coke and pumice stone soaked in water, and 

 sprinkled with cement to give colour. These substances are 

 very light, and answer the purpose well. Quite small plants 

 only are fit to be used with the rocks. 



I have had this ventilated case filled with the following 

 named plants, and the effect was highly satisfactory :— Nephro- 

 lepis exaltata, Adiantum colpodes, Onyohium japonicum, Sela- 

 ginella urnbrosa, S. Wildenovii, Panicum variegatum, Lyco- 

 podium denticulatum var. ; near the glass Fittonia Pearcei, 

 F. argyroneura and Peperomia maculosa, and suspended in the 

 shell a plant of Selaginella ccesium. This last is the prettiest 

 basket plant I have ever used for summer decoration. 



Among our native plants are many charming Ferns that will 

 soon accustom themselves to the confinement of the case. 

 Asplenium ebeneum and A. trichomanes are very pretty Ferns 

 for rockwork ; Adiantum pedatum is a lovely Fern for a case, 

 but requires rest in winter. Polypodium vulgare is pretty by 

 contrast with those more delicate. There are Beveral Sela- 

 ginellas which will soon become quite at home in the Fern 

 case, and will be valuable acquisitions. Equisetums are 

 pretty, and so different in their character and foliage from 

 other plants that one would hardly wish to be without them. 

 Almost anywhere in the woods and swamps beautiful and deli- 

 cate plants may be found that will grace any fernery. Many 

 gems are often discovered in this way. A favourite of mine is 

 the Mitchella repens or Partridge Berry Vine, which takes 

 readily to the close case, its bright red berries remaining per- 

 fect in their beauty for a long time. This plant always pro- 

 duces a wonderful effeet, and there is nothing prettier for 

 any case, no matter with what else it may be filled. 



Management.— In the selection of a Fern ease I should'choose 

 one with an outlet for drainage. This I have already'said is 

 very essential, especially for a novice. If there is no drainage 

 water must be used very sparingly. Crocks and small pieces of 

 charcoal, covered lightly with old moss to keep the soil from sift- 

 ing down through, are the best for drainage. I prefer a case 

 constructed of wood. For a case that will require a shade 12 or 

 15 inches in diameter, take three pieces of plank — walnut or 

 other hard wood— 2 inches thick, fasten them securely together 

 with glue and screws, forming a solid piece of wood 6 inches 

 thick. The inside of this piece of solid wool is to be removed 

 by the saw, leaving only a rim to support the zinc pan, which 

 is to contain the soil. This wooden rim, which is to be turned 

 in finishing, can be ornamented if you wish. The case when 

 complete will last for years. The heat and dampness will not 

 affect it provided no water is thrown over it. A zinc pan, 

 with an opening in the bottom for drainage, fits into the 

 wooden case. The pan is made with a rim to receive the 

 shade ; this will prevent water from coming in contact with 

 the wood. This wooden case will cost about double the price 

 of one made of earthen or lava ware ; but it presents a better 

 appearance in the room, and there is no trouble from scaling- 

 off or cracking, as is often the case with earthenware. Very 

 few of the latter are properly constructed for drainage, there- 

 fore I would recommend a wooden ease. The larger the case 

 the more satisfactory it will be. Frequently in selecting a 

 case one has to be guided by the space he can afford for it ; 

 but I should say the larger the case the better. I have had 

 cases no larger than 4 inches in diameter, but of course they 

 were mere toys, though better than none if you have space 

 for one no larger. 



If you have a wooden case designed for a shade 15 inches in 

 diameter make it 6 inches deep. This will give you 2 inches of 

 drainage and 4 iuches of soil, in which can be grown any 

 plants suitable for a case of this size. Most of the earthen 

 Fern cases are not more than 4 inches deep ; this depth will 

 answer for those of small size, but it is not sufficient for 

 larger cases. The soil and method of planting recommended 

 for Wardian cases are suitable for ferneries, also the same 

 general treatment will answer for a ventilated Fern case. 



A Fern case for winter decoration ought to be filled in 

 August, or not later than the 1st of September. This will give 

 the plants time to get fairly established and make new growth 

 for the winter before the short cold days commence. Gases 

 filled later in the autumn afford very little satisfaction or 

 pleasure, as they rarely get underway or begin to make new 

 growth until Bpring, if they do not wholly die out during the 

 winter. Were I intending to fill a case for my own use I 

 should certainly plant early. 



For the close case I should only use such plants as are suit- 

 able. Disturb the shade only when water is required, or signs 

 of mould are visible, or the plants damp off ; then give air for 

 a short time each day, wiping out the glaBs when it is removed. 

 This will generally remedy the trouble when practised a few 

 times. When the plants are in vigorous growth and during 

 the warm weather give considerable water, but withhold it 

 almost entirely during the winter, and give plenty of light at 

 all times. — W. H. Halllday. 



NOTES on VILLA, and SUBURBAN GARDENING. 



Kitchen Gahden. — The first week in August is the time when 

 I like to sow a good breadth of Spinach for autumn and winter 

 use, sowing again for succession early in September. The 

 first sowing if it does well gives a good supply through the 

 autumn and up to Christmas, while the second crop may be 

 expected to stand the winter well and come to perfection as 

 the days lengthen in spring. Spinach growB as fast in the 

 latter part of summer as it does at any time, and if the soil is 

 deep and good, which it ought to be, the leaves come large and 

 fleshy, and the crop is then abundant. 



The present iB also a capital time to sow a bed of Cabbage 

 seed for the general crop. The Early York is considered a good 

 sort, but Cattell's Beliance is quite as good. There is, however, 

 a sort about here called the Early Bainham, which ia much the 

 earliest of the three, and tnrnB in well. I grew all these sorts 

 this season, and they came in good succession. With regard to 

 planting Cabbages after the Onion crop, which some object to 

 on account of the maggot which the Onions leave behind, I 

 should not advise that being done where the Onions are at all 

 affected; but if they are free from that enemy there need be 

 no fear of the Cabbages not doing well. I like to manure the 

 ground and dig it deeply and work the Boil down as much aa 

 possible, putting the plants out immediately. The ground from 

 which Peas have be'en taken will do for Cabbages if the other 

 fails, and, if the Pea ground is not wanted, for late cropB of 

 Celery. 



I perceive the Potato crop is dying off, and on examination 

 find the tubers are almost ripe. I quite agree with what Mr. 

 Luckhurst says about taking them up. I have my early Potatoes 

 already up, and the others if left in the ground will start into 

 growth again if wet should come on. We have had no rain 

 here for many weeks, and most of the tubers are small. No 

 doubt this will be a season favourable to such sorts as Sutton's 

 Flourball and many other coarse-growing sorts, which will 

 probably prove better in flavour than usual. This " curl," or 

 whatever disease it is, has confined itself to the American Bose, 

 and the haulm has been dead for a long time, and those affected 

 have no tubers larger than walnuts. 



Late Celery may still be planted as ground becomes vacant. 

 Probably in such a season as this the latest-planted rows wiU 

 prove as good as the others, for lately Celery has not grown 

 owing to the excessive heat and drought. If rain comes lose 

 no time in planting Savoys, Broccoli, and Kale of different 

 kinds ; also Coleworts and Lettuces should be planted in large 

 quantities, as they are now safe from running to seed. It will 

 be best to sow often, so as to obtain a good stock of plants for 

 the autumn. 



Attend to Tomatoes frequently by stopping the young growths 

 and not allowing the plants to grow more fruit than is at present 

 swelling-off, as there will not be time for it to ripen, and it will 

 impair the quality of that which set first. The plants must 

 have manure water frequently, for being grown against waUs 

 evaporation is exceSBive, and the plants being fast growers much 

 water is needed to keep them in a healthy state. 



Fkutt Gabden. — Strawberries must now be attended to, both 

 for forcing and new plantations. I make a new bed every third 

 year. I should do so oftener, but have not the ground to spare. 

 Let the runnera that were first layered be taken from the parent 

 plants, and in a few days afterwards be potted into larger pots 

 and placed on a bed of ashes in a convenient place for water- 

 ing, for they wiU need copioua supplies. Later runners should 

 be cut off when ready, and after the pots are filled with roots 

 they should be planted-ont without delay, for the earlier they 

 are planted the Btronger the plants become before winter, and 

 the better they may be expected to fruit next year. A piece of 

 ground Bhould be trenched- up for them, and rich manure should 

 be added freely and mixed with the soil. This may be supple- 



