818 
THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 
TO CORRESPONDENTS. 
The Origin of Fairy Rings. — A Young Botanist. — The origin of every fairy 
ring is a fungus, and the agarics are those which most commonly give rise to them. 
In the decay of a fungus, a large amount of phosphates is returned to the earth, 
and the grass which was originally displaced by it takes possession of the spot, and 
the phosphates deposited there furnish it with a rich manure, in which it grows 
more luxuriantly than elsewhere. In the meantime, the fungus has distributed its 
spores in a circle, and when this circular growth of fungi passes away, the grass 
takes possession of the first ring so formed, and its vigorous growth gives it the 
rich dark colour by which it is distinguished from the surrounding herbage. The 
fungi which formed the first ring decay in their turn, and scatter a fresh ring of 
spawn outside the first, their growth being always towards the sell on which 
there have been no fungi ; while the grass regularly follows, and thus the ring 
grows larger year after year. It would occupy many of our pages to follow the 
explanation into all its details, and we must therefore beg our correspondent to 
remain content with this brief reply. We may, however, add, that edible fungi are 
very commonly found on fairy rings, and are associated with them in the minds and 
experiences of those who hold to the ancient notion of the fairies dancing at night 
on these, their magic circles. 
Ants. — Eta, Chingford.—A. large number of ants may be destroyed by pouring 
boiling-water over the nests. Guano sprinkled in thin rows will also banish a con- 
siderable number from the house. One of the most effectual ways of clearing the 
house of ants is to procure a few pieces of coarse sponge, and lay them in the 
earthenware saucers in which flower-pots are usually placed, then sprinkle powdered 
loaf-sugar over the sponge. The ants, attracted by the sugar, will crowd into the 
sponges, and may then be destroyed by immersion in hot water. After this the 
sponges can be pressed quite dry and sprinkled with sugar, and the process can be 
repeated until the house is cleared of the ants. 
Ferns. — Mrs. 1). — As the window is on the shady side of the house, ferns would, 
with proper attention, do exceedingly well. A few of the best of the greenhouse 
kinds suitable for the purpose, are : — Adiantum cuneatum,Pteris serrulata, Nephro- 
Icpis tuherosa, Asplenium hulbiferum, Cgrtomium falcatum, Pteris scaberula. 
The following hardy sorts will also be useful : — Adiantum pedatum, Asplenium 
marinum, Athyriumjilix famina Plumosa, Lastrea jilix mas cristata, Polypodium 
vulgare cambrieum, Poly.’itickum angulare grandidens, P. a. proliferum, Scolopen- 
drium vulgare crispum, 8. v. endivcefolium. Some of the palms and the India- 
rubber plants would also do exceedingly well in the window ; the best palms are 
Coryplia Australis, Chamcerops humilis, and Seaforthia elegans. 
Ferns for Case. — 3Ir.s. D. — Adiantum capillus veneris, A. cuneatum, A. 
fulvum, A. setulosum, Asplenium bulbiferum, A. Jlabellifolium, A. formosum, A. 
lucidum, Bavallia bullata, B. tenuifolia stricta, Boodia caudata, Bycopodium pal- 
matum, Nephrolepis tnberosa, Pteris cretica albo lineata, P. scaberula, P. serrulata, 
P. s. cristata, Trichomanes radicans, Selaginella denticulata, S. stoloni/era. The 
ferns must be screened from the hottest part of the day during the summer, or 
they will suffer severely. This of course can be managed very easily by drawing 
the blinds down or laying a newspaper over the case. In windows facing the north, 
the ferns must be fully exposed to the light. 
Apples and Raspberries. — P. P. — The apples you mention are the last of the 
early sorts, and there are no other sorts so desirable. One variety mentioned is 
later than the others. With regard to the raspberries. Carter’s Piolific, McLaren’s 
Prolific, and Antwerp, are the best of the summer-bearing varieties, and as you 
have them already, you ought to be able to obtain an abundant supply of fruit at 
the proper season. 
Liliums. — Constant Header. — All the varieties contained in the list referred to 
are not suitable for amateurs, but there are a considerable number that are most 
valuable for garden decoration. 
Planting Vinery. — F. 8.- — Muscats will not do much good in the same house 
as black Hamburghs. But we see no difficulty in your growing them well in an 
outside border, if it is properly made, provided the vines have a house to^them- 
selves, and you adopt some means to prevent the borders becoming too wet,^should 
there be an over-abundance of rain through the summer. The borders must be 
