Hay 22, 1884. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER, 
407 
are the extreme dimensions mentioned hy Hooker, it is probable that 
nnder cultivation the fronds will become considerably larger, and the 
Fern will then have a majestic appearance like a dwarf Dicksonia. The 
fronds are dark green, rigid, and thick in substance, with a dark brown or 
black stipes and rachis, the lower portion being often clothed with rough 
brown scales, which impart a peculiar appearance to the plant, and to this 
is probably due its rather forbidding name. 
The species is a native of the Sandwich Islands, being also found in 
Java, and is well represented in the woodcut (fig. 94), for which we are 
indebted to Mr. Williams. 
BLUE FLOWERS. 
Having seen the request of “ Conservative Rose,” on page 382 of 
the Journal of Horticulture, for the names of blue flowers, I have noted 
caerulea, Pleroma elegans, Psoralea pinnata, Tropseolum azureum, and 
Wi'senia corymbosa. This last is almost continually in flower. 
This list might easily be greatly extended by including annuals and 
biennials, and also many rarer alpine plants. Those mentioned may 
however, be procured without difficulty.— G. Guthrie. 
VINES BLEEDING. 
When we read week after week the different opinions of Vine-growers 
on the subject of Vines bleeding, it is a relief to see a sentence like that 
in the article by Mr. J. E. Waiting in your issue of May 1st, in which he 
makes the assertion that “Bleeding is a great injury to Vines, and 
water is the cause.” Surely after that discussion ought to cease ; hut 
unfortunately there are a few who, like myself, do not rely sufficiently 
upon this statement to allow the matter to rest there, especially after the 
conflicting statements made in his article. Having seen as young Vines 
as those he mentions to which a liberal supply of water was given during 
Pin. 94.—Asplexioi horridcm. 
the names of a few, mostly hardy perennials, and endeavoured to divide 
them as desired, only observing there must be of necessity a certain 
amount of ovei lapping, owing to difference of soil and situation, and also 
the somewhat erratic nature of our climate. 
Spring. — Anemone apennina blanda, Robinsoniana, Eritricbum 
nanum, Hepatica angulosa, triloba casrulea, and caerulea fl.-pl. ; Muscari, 
several species, and Symphytum caucasicum. 
Summer .— Aconitum pyramidale, Adenophora liliifolia suaveolens, 
Ajuga Brockbanki, Anchusa italica, Aphyllanthes monspeliensis, Borago 
laxiflora, Camassia escnlenta, Campanula celtidifolia, garganica, persici- 
folia ; Centaurea montana, Cichorium Intybus. Commelina coelestis, Cya- 
nanthus lobatus, Cynoglossum montanum, Echinops Ritro, Eryngium 
amethvstinum, Globularia trichosantba, Linum perenne, Lithospermum 
prostratum, Pentstemon Jeffreyanuin, Polemonium cseruleum and Ricbard- 
soni, Scabiosa caucasica and graminifolia, Sisyrinchium bermudianum, 
Trachelium caeruleum, Vinca herbacea, Viola pedata, and Wulfenia 
carinthiaca. 
Autumn .—Aconitum autumnale, Campanula (Platycodon) autumnalis, 
Aster pilosa, pyrenaica, Shortii. 
Greenhouse .—Agapanthus umbellatus, Agathea coelestis, Dianella 
winter and in the spring before starting, and no bleeding result, I come 
to the conclusion that though water indiscriminately given may be one of 
the causes of bleeding, yet it is not the sole cause. 
Mr. Waiting says, “ Old Vines, especially those planted inside, seldom 
receive half sufficient water neither summer nor winter, and this is the 
chief reason why Vines do not do well on the back walls of vi neries.” If 
this is the case, how does he reconcile it with the statement which he 
makes that water is the cause of bleeding ? His statements amount to 
this—To grow Grapes successfully we must water heavily summer and 
' winter, and if we do this the Vines will bleed ; and, to follow his 
argument, if Vines bleed, they will suffer severely. But even on the 
point of Vines being injured by bleeding, I am not afraid to join issue 
with him. I have seen Vines bleed, though from other causes than over- 
watering, and I have also carefully watched them during the seasons 
following, and without exception I have found those that have bled do 
as well as those which did not bleed. In fact, I have now under my 
notice two Vines which have bled profusely in a house along with others 
which have not bled, and they are as healthy and are showing as good 
bunches as the others. Perhaps Mr. Waiting can tell us how it is that 
very often one or two Vines in a house bleed while all the others do not , 
though all receive the same supply of water. 
