Dfxemeer 26, 



Garden and forest. 



523 



pink flowers, its delicate pinna- appearing- like a green lace- 

 work among the flowers. 



In addition to the above-mentioned species and varieties, 

 A. decorum may be used as a substitute tor A. cuneatum, it 

 more convenient to do so, its strong fronds of similar general 

 outline being tough enough to stand consideral)le exposure. 

 In choice arrangements, those of Orchid flowers, for instance, 

 A. Farleyense is almost indispensable. The varieties named 

 are probably the most useful of this family in general cultiva- 

 tion, and all are easily propagated from spores, with the e.x- 

 ception of A. Farleyense, which is readily increased by divi- 

 sion. 



The next in order for general usefulness are several species 

 of Pteris, most of which are of the easiest cultivation, while 

 for lasting qualities they are decidedly some of the best. Pteris 

 Cretlca and its varieties magnifica and albo-lineata keep in 

 good condition for several days, in water, while P. serrulata 

 and sevejal garden forms of this well-known sort are very 



cutting, but in many establislmienfs the plants are not large 

 or numerous enough to warrant a free use of the knife; but 

 where a few fronds of this handsome species can be spared 

 for decorating, it will be noted that fronds of G. dicholovia, 

 when placed in water, stand the test of a warm room ior as 

 long a period as those of any Fern so used, and from llieii- 

 peculiarly formed growth are sure to attract attenticju antl 

 commendation. 



Philadclpliia, Novcmljcr 23d. '/ . 



Chrysanthemums. — It often happens after Chr)s,-uithemums 

 have done flowering tliat they are stowed away eitlier under 

 green-house benches, where 'there is but little light, or in cel- 

 lars where there is less, or are left out in the weather to strug- 

 gle as best tliey can with the elements. Good Clirysanthe- 

 mums cannot be had next year from stock subjected 'to such 

 treatment. Growers who aim at fine plants and fine flowers 

 are now giving their stock-plants the best attention ; tlie 

 weaker kinds are placed in a cold green-house or frame, close 



A Garden ot Clirysantliemums. — Sec opposite page. 



pretty, and capable of standing a great deal of rough usage; 

 while if large fronds are needed for any special purpose, 

 P. argycea and P. treimtla are among the best varieties to fur- 

 nish them, though they will not stand quite so long as those 

 of P. Cretica and P. serrulata, and thej are also rather more 

 brittle. 



After the Pteris may be placed Onychiiiin Japonicuin and 

 Davallia tenuifolia striata, both of which are excellent Ferns 

 for either florists or amateurs, though they do not recover 

 from a severe cutting in so short a time as plants of the genus 

 first named, and in the case of the Davallia it is also some- 

 what more difficult to raise a quantity from spores. Another 

 Fern frequently seen and very useful at times is Microlepis 

 hirta cristata, its long and graceful fronds being seen to ad- 

 vantage in large baskets and similar arrangements. I lately saw 

 a pleasing effect i)roduced by the use of a few fronds of Micro- 

 lepis in a basket of Chrysanthemums, this being one of the 

 few Ferns which may safelv be used among these flowers 

 without seeming out of place. Some of the Nephrolepis are 

 also very good for olu" purpose, N. exaltata and N. davallioides 

 /«;•<:(!«.? being among the mostsuitable on account of the strong- 

 texture of their fronds and their rapid and persistent growth. 

 Mucli might be said of the good qualities of the Gleichenias for 



light, and tl-iey are never allowed to want for water; 

 tronger kinds liave also good positions in airy frames 

 een-houses. All are kept free from insects and n-iildew. 

 gs will lie made of the slower growing kinds as soon as 

 iiave obtained sufficient vigor. The best Chrysanthe- 

 s are onlv obtained from cuttings taken fron-i (ilants that 

 perfecdy strong and healthy. John Thorpe. 



- River, "N. 'i'. 



Haplocarpa Leichtlini. — I have grown tliis little south Afri- 

 can composite plant for the past three years, and am well 

 pleased with it as a border flower, but it is of no use for 

 cutting, as its blosson-is do not stay open after they are cut 

 and ren-ioved to an ordinarily lighted rooni. The plants are 

 stemless, and form rosettes of Dandelion-shaped leaves, seven 

 to nine inches long, glossy above and thickly covered with 

 white, closelv-pressed silky down beneath. The flowers are 

 two to three inches across, golden yellow backed with pur- 

 plish-brown, showy and borne singly on scapes ten to thirteen 

 inches high. They shut up at night and in dull weather. The 

 .plant is not hardv,'and ten degrees of frost will kill it outright. 

 Although a ]-)ere'nnial, it seeds freely and the seeds germinate 

 readflv, and if sown in spring they give blooming plants by 

 midsun-imer, and these plants continue to bloom uninterrupt- 

 edly till cut down bv \ovei-i-iber frosts. William Falconer. 



Gfen Cuv. L. I ' 



Tea Rose, Madame Hoste.— This is a Rose of great promise, 

 and judging from our own experience, it will take rank with 

 the mo.sf valuable of its class. It possesses a good constitu- 

 tion, is strong, but not coarse, in growth, and has aliundaiit 

 dark green foliage. The bud is larger than that of Perle des 

 jardins, and of rounder, yet finely pointed, form, while its 

 beautiful len-ion tint is most pleasing. Not the least of its 

 charm is its beauty when fully open. Within the |)ast few days 

 llowers have developed here which rival the largest and most 



