278 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ April 10, 1884. 
tion, dating from 1867. It has neatly formed orange-tinted 
flowers, but has not produced very remarkable results. 
By far the most important of all is A. Leopoldi, which 
Mr. Pearce introduced! from E eru for Messrs. Yeitch, and 
which was shown at Kensington in 1869 at the time of King 
Leopold’s visit, and was thence honoured with its present 
name. This is a magnificent species with massive flowers, 
broad rounded petals, and of a distinct colouring ; the tips of 
the petals white, the centre crimson, and the base greenish, 
being, moreover, of very strong habit and easy culture. It 
was a most valuable acquisition to the hybridists, and advan¬ 
tage was taken of its character in every possible way. For a 
time, however, this had a rather injurious effect, for its 
prepotency became apparent in nearly all the varieties, and 
there was some danger of the dazzling scarlet shades being 
almost lost. That difficulty was soon overcome, and then it 
was found how much had been effected by the transfusion of 
fresh blood from A. Leopoldi. The whole race of Amaryllises 
were in a measure remodelled, and the result is seen in the 
magnificent series of varieties now in cultivation. An excel¬ 
lent example of an improved variety of the Leopoldi type is 
shown in the woodcut (fig. 70, page 287), which is one of Messrs. 
Yeitch’s novelties for the present year, and is distinguished 
by its even form, bright crimson-scarlet colour, and white 
tips. It bears the classical name of Mars, and is certain 
to command the favour of all who wish to grow the best 
forms. 
The foregoing is but a brief review of the species that 
have been concerned in the progress of Amaryllises, and much 
more could be added in reference to the gradual steps by 
which the advance was made, by tracing the hybrids first 
obtained and their part in subsequent crossing. Sufficient 
has, however, been said to give some idea of the work and 
thought that have been brought to bear on the production 
of the Amaryllises so much admired. 
EHUBARB. 
Of the confusion which exists in the nomenclature of Rhubarb 
the trial at Chiswick affords conclusive proof. A sense of this con¬ 
fusion, and a desire to see for myself which were the best sorts to 
grow, induced me to procure as many of the so-called best varieties 
as I could and to plant them side by side, so that the trial might be 
as fair as possible and the results really useful. Well, the results are 
before me, and I shall doubtless derive much benefit from them ; but 
uncertainty about the correctness of some of the names prevents me 
making them so fully useful to readers of the Journal as I could 
wish. For example, the plant bearing the name of Myatt’s Linnaeus 
was quite ten days earlier than any of the others ; but that is its only 
merit, for it is deficient both in flavour and colour. Mitchell’s Eoyal 
Albert came next, and is good both in flavour and colour. Hawke's 
Champagne, which I believe is true to name, followed, and it combines 
the high qualities of earliness, flavour, and colour better than any 
other. Kershaw’s Paragon is excellent in flavour and high-coloured ; 
and of others Baldry’s Scarlet Defiance may be mentioned for its 
superior flavour, Johnson’s St. Martin and Salt’s Crimson for colour, 
and Stott’s Monarch for its lateness and extraordinary size, which 
render it so distinct as to be easily recognised. 
The best variety of Early Red or Royal Albert, with Hawke’s 
Champagne for a main crop, both for forcing and the open garden, 
and Stott’s Monarch for a late supply, will probably prove the best 
selection for general culture. In making a selection, however, it 
should not be forgotten that Rhubarb is at its best when quite young 
and tender, and to retain its full flavour it should never be peeled, 
but the stalks should be carefully rubbed with a dry cloth before 
being cut up.— Edward Luckiiurst. 
THE BEST ADIANTUMS. 
( Continued from page 184.) 
GREENHOUSE SPECIES. 
A. affine (Willd.).—A very handsome Fern, producing large 
deltoid fronds, bi or tri-pinnately divided, the terminal pinnae 
much the largest. The pinnules and final divisions are half an 
inch or more long, crenated at the margins, of a deep glistening 
green colour. The stipes and rachises are black and glossy, 
while the pinnae are numerous and overlap each other freely. It 
is a very useful Fern, the fronds being serviceable for bouquets. 
It grows freely in a shallow pan or planted on the rockery, i s 
rhizomes creeping close to or quite upon the surface. 
A. assimile (Swtz.).—This is a very lovely species with 
drooping tripinnate fronds, growing from 9 to 15 inches long 
the small ultimate divisions roundish, with entire margins, of 
delicate pale green colour, in a young state tinged with pin 
Admirably suited for market culture or the adornment of 
rocky ledge. It constitutes one of the prettiest cool house 
Ferns, and when cut and mixed with flowers the fronds present 
a charming appearance. If plants are grown in a low tem- 
peratui-e they become moderately firm and will stand exposure 
well. It is found in Australia, Hew Zealand, and Tasmania, 
and has been grown in our gardens many years, but is much 
more seldom seen than should be the case with such an elegant 
Fern. 
A. Capillus-Veneris daphnites. —Of all the forms of our native 
Maidenhair I think this is the handsomest for cultivation in the 
cool house. The fronds grow from 6 to 12 inches high. Nume¬ 
rous segments being united, form broad crested extremities to 
each of the pinnae; and the apex of the fronds, which is of a 
distinct dullish green colour, with the cristation rendering the 
plant distinct from all others. A. C.-Y. magnificum is also a 
very fine form, producing large arching fronds with broad 
imbricated pinnules, with finely fringed margins. These are 
two most lovely Ferns, and all cool house collections should 
include them either on the rockery or in pots. 
A. colpodes (Moore).—A very lovely Fern from Ecuador and 
Peru, doing well in the greenhouse, so it is probable that under 
natural conditions it occurs at high altitudes. The fronds are 
borne on slender dark brown glossy stipes from 9 to 18 inches 
long, drooping, three times divided, the ultimate divisions 
obliquely cuneate, the lower edge straight, the upper one 
rounded, usually finely lobed or toothed; wheD young of a 
delicate pink colour, gradually changing to pale green. The 
habit of the plant makes it an excellent basket Fern; also most 
suitable for the rockery, which is, indeed, the proper home for 
all such Ferns. 
A. cuncatum (Lang et Fisch.).—This is the Maidenhair Fern 
so well known and extensively used where Ferns are appreciated. 
In all stages of growth it is most useful—in thimble pots or as 
large permanent specimens, such as are frequently seen at 
exhibitions. 
A. decorum (Moore\—A great favourite, producing large 
fronds from 9 to 18 inches long, and from 5 to 10 inches across 
the base, three or four times divided, the ultimate divisions 
rhomboid or cuneate, with the outer edge distinctly lobed, of a 
light rich green colour, with a firm texture. The fronds are 
spreading, slightly arching, on stiff, dark, polished stipes. In 
any stage it is very handsome, and the fronds are most useful 
for large floral work, the segments being larger than those of 
A. cuneatum. It is a native of the Andes of Peru. 
A. gracillvmum (Moore).—This lovely Fern is now well knovn 
and very highly esteemed for bouquet work and for furnishing 
purposes. It is of garden origin, and is a finely divided form 
of A. cuneatum, the fronds being decompound, with small 
imbricated segments, similar in form to those of the tyre, of a 
deep green colour, and extremely graceful in all floral an-ange- 
ments. No collection should be without it, as it is very easily 
managed, coming freely from spores and generally true to 
character. 
A. formosum (R. Brown).—A very handsome vigorous-growing 
species from the cooler portions of Australia and New Zealand, 
producing strong copiously divided fronds from 1 to 3 feet high, 
broadly deltoid in form, three or four times divided, the final 
divisions dimidiate, the lower edge straight, while the upper one 
is rounded and rather deeply lobed, of a deep green colour. As 
a permanent decorative Fern for the greenhouse it can scarcely 
be surpassed, because it is evergreen and grows so freely, while 
its large ample fronds are extremely valuable for furnishing, 
especially for the dinner table. 
A. Luddemannianum (Hort.).—This is a charming little Fern, 
far too rarely met with, on account, perhaps, of the difficulty 
attending its cultivation—at least, as far as increasing it rapidly 
is concerned. The fronds are from 6 to 12 inches high. I have 
never seen them more. The slender stipes are branched about 
half or a third of the way up, and are of a reddish-brown colour. 
The pinnules and segments are more or less confluent and 
clustered at the extremities of the ramifications, forming broad, 
crested, tasselled heads, the weight of which gives the fronds a 
slight but graceful curvature. Without doubt this is one of 
the most distinct of all the Adiantums, and it likes thorough 
drainage, light fibrous soil, with a very humid atmosphere 
without a high temperature. I have found it thrive freely under 
