156 



Garden and Forest. 



[March 26, 1890. 



high. It is quite distinct in outline from the common type and 

 much rarer. 



Another Spleenwort, a more local plant, is A. angusti- 

 folium, although, in its chosen home, it is usually abundant 

 enough. It seems to select moist, half shaded ravines. The 

 fronds, unlike most of our hardy Ferns, are only once divided. 

 Those which bear the fruit are narrower and generally taller. 

 In the tallest specimens the fronds are about three feet long, 

 of a light green color, and generally three inches wide. It 

 thrives in moist, loamy soil, and prefers some shade. Like 

 most hardy Ferns, it needs time to become established ; and 

 plants are generally stronger and finer the second year after 

 setting. 



Asplenium ebeneum is a much smaller species than either of 

 those above mentioned. It is seldom more than a foot high, 

 with fronds an inch wide, once divided, and with a black and 

 shiny stem. The fronds are evergreen. It is found oh broken, 

 rocky terraces, in the sun or half shaded situations, in crevices 

 of broken rocks. It is, therefore, a rather local plant, though 

 not rare. We have always found it hardy enough, and it 

 surely thrives naturally in exposed situations. It should be 

 valuable in many parts of the rockery on account of its size 

 and shape. Usually, in the larger specimens, the fertile fronds 

 stand erect, with a tuft of smaller sterile ones prostrate about 

 the roots. 



Of the Shield Fern (Aspidium) we have in New England 

 about fourteen species and varieties. One of the most common 

 and valuable for ornamental purposes is A. acrostichoides. This 

 species, which bears a once divided dark evergreen frond, is 

 inclined to grow in clumps, and fine plants can be grown in 

 either sun or shade. The variety incisum is not common, nor 

 do we believe perfectly fixed in character. It is not rare to find 

 plants with some fronds deeply incised, while others are almost 

 or quite free from this. The fronds of this species are thick" 

 and durable, usually appearing nearly as fresh in early spring 

 as in autumn. 



The Climbing Fern {Lygodium palmatum), when once estab- 

 lished, is one of the most charming species we have. It seems 

 to transplant best in the spring. Naturally, it grows among 

 low shrubbery, seldom or ever in the open sun, but twining 

 over low bushes, which shade its roots. A moist, loamy soil 

 is needed, with a low trellis to support the slender, twining 

 stalks. 

 Southwick, Mass. -F. N. Horsford. 



Anthuriums. 



'"THIS highly ornamental genus of tropical plants may be 

 -*• divided into two classes, (1) those varieties characterized 

 by their handsome foliage and (2) those in which the flowers 

 form the most noticeable feature. The members of the latter 

 division have been comparatively few in number, at least in 

 original types, the larger part of the fine-flowered Anthuriums 

 having been of garden origin. The most widely known of the 

 original species is A. Scherzeriamim, the oblong-lanceolate 

 leaves and bright scarlet spathes of which are familiar to all 

 gardeners. This plant has greatly improved under cultivation, 

 and has produced a number of varieties, as the seedlings vary 

 greatly both in form and size of flowers and foliage. Among 

 the most notable of these are A. Wardii, a very large and 

 strong-growing form, both foliage and spathes being particu- 

 larly broad, and the latter very brilliant in color ; A. Cypheri, 

 the spathes of which are inclined to crimson in shade; and A. 

 Rothschildianiim, the last named having bright scarlet spathes, 

 which are usually dotted or marked with white, and it is espe- 

 cially recommended by some growers for its free-flowering 

 qualities. 



Anthurium Andreanum is another species in the flowering 

 section, now becoming widely distributed, as it seeds profusely 

 and the seeds germinate readily in a warm house and moist 

 atmosphere. This, like A. Scherzeriamim, is quite variable 

 when raised from seeds, and some forms thus produced will 

 be found of little value, while others from the same sowing 

 may prove of special merit. A. Andreanum is of stronger 

 growth than A. Scherze'rianum, and in some cases it assumes 

 an almost scandent habit, in which, however, it should not be 

 encouraged, as the flowers are apt to depreciate in quality 

 when the stem of the plant becomes long and straggling. 



A. Ferrierense is very much like the last named species in 

 growth and habit, the chief distinction being in the color of 

 the spathe, which is a deep, rosy pink. This variety is not so 

 much of an acquisition as A. Andreanum, and has not become 

 a general favorite. 



In the other section of the Anthuriums are to be found 

 some with leaves so large and beautifully marked that they 

 are among the choicest ornaments of the tropical house. 



Prominent in this class is A. crystallinum, an extremely hand- 

 some plant from tropical America, with very large cordate 

 leaves, the veins of which are marked out by bands of white 

 which remind one of frosted silver. 



Somewhat similar in general appearance is A. magnificum, 

 a noble species with leaves from two to three feet in length 

 and broad in proportion. The ground color of the leaves is 

 dark olive-green, which offers an admirable contrast for the 

 white veins, and makes this plant one of the most effective 

 for exhibition in a collection of foliage plants. A. Warocque- 

 anum is a species of more recent introduction than the pre- 

 ceding, and is well worthy of a place in any good collection. 

 This plant has large cordate-acuminate leaves of bright 

 green, with prominent veins of a lighter shade. 



Another handsome plant from South America is A. regale, 

 the leaves of which are a rather dull green in color, with white 

 veins, and stand up well on long foot-stalks. A. regale is also 

 a strong grower, and if properly treated will produce its large 

 and striking foliage quite rapidly. 



As regards soil, all of the Anthuriums require a light, rough 

 compost, a good mixture being equal parts of fibrous peat and 

 chopped sphagnum, with a liberal addition of clean, shar,p 

 sand, and some broken charcoal. The drainage of the pots 

 or pans should also be properly attended to by filling them 

 with crocks or other suitable material, for while they enjoy 

 copious waterings during active growth, the Anthuriums are 

 liable to suffer if the soil should become sodden and sour, and 

 the thick, fleshy roots soon rot. They need a warm tempera- 

 ture, sixty-five to seventy degrees at night being most suitable 

 for the species with ornamental foliage, though A. Scherzeri- 

 amim may be grown in a lower temperature successfully. 

 Shading will be found necessary during the summer months, 

 and a moist atmosphere at all times, and in the case of those 

 grown especially for their foliage it is best to remove the 

 flowers as they appear, not only on account of their insignifi- 

 cant appearance, but also to prevent their weakening the 

 plant. Seeds may be sown in a mixture similar to that recom- 

 mended for potting, and if placed on brick bottom-heat and 

 kept moist, it will germinate in a few weeks. They are best 

 sown as soon as ripe. 



Holmesburg, Pa. W. H. Taplin. 



The Spring Garden. 



'TWO snow-falls within the last fortnight protected low grow- 

 -*■ ing plants through a few days of low temperature, and 

 flowers which were in bloom at the time passed uninjured 

 through what to most people seems a severe trial. Really, 

 however, a blanket of snow is the best possible protection 

 from cold winds and biting frosts, and melting snows seem to 

 stimulate the growth of early growing plants. Is this because 

 of the ammonia contained in snow-water ? Many of these 

 plants are alpine, and in their natural stations they flourish 

 close to the edges of the snow-banks as they retreat before the 

 warm, bright sun. Of course any stimulus in the snow water 

 is a minor element compared with the effect of the increasing 

 heat of the sun, the manifestation of which in the annual re- 

 newal of growth in the spring is one of the most imposing 

 displays of natural forces. With the increasing light and 

 warmth almost all of the early blooming plants are boldly 

 blooming or rapidly preparing to do so. I noticed this morn- 

 ing that one little Squill, which for weeks had peeped at the 

 level of the ground apparently watching its opportunity, had 

 at last suddenly thrown its bright flowers gaily to their full 

 height. Not so bright, but earlier to bloom than any of the 

 Scillas, is a little Grape Hyacinth from Mount Taurus. This is 

 especially good for the rockery, as the plant is rather diminu- 

 tive and its color (blue) rather dark in tone for effect on the 

 level. It sends forth its long, narrow foliage in the fall and 

 has been one of the earliest flowers to show color, and yet it 

 opened very slowly. While it has not been injured in any way 

 by frost it seems rather discouraged in bad weather. The 

 flowering scape is only some three inches high. 



More cheerful are the Primroses, on which straggling blooms 

 have appeared all winter, though the hybrid varieties, such as 

 we usually grow in the garden, do not pass unscathed either 

 in flower or foliage during severe weather. However, we sel- 

 dom have bloom until April, and while the foliage may be 

 scorched by frost new leaves are quickly put forth. The plants 

 are perfectly hardy and most accommodating subjects, as they 

 bear shifting without injury, and, provided the clumps are not 

 broken up just before blooming-time, will always give a good 

 crop of flowers. In heavy soil Primroses grow vigorously and 

 I prefer to leave them without protection, as wet is a greater 

 enemy than severe weather. Primulas in bloom are surely 

 among the most pleasing flowers and indispensable in spring 



