JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
442 
[ June 2, 1881. 
the sides of the main stem. Mr. Moseley, who was one of the 
scientific staff on board the Challenger , says he counted twenty- 
eight flowering stalks of different ages on one plant in Betsy Cove 
at Kerguelin’s Land. They appeared to belong to eight successive 
years.—G. J. C. 
Lomaria L'Herminieri .—This though of moderate growth is a 
striking species, the young fronds being bright red, forming a good 
contrast with the older deep green leaves. A plant of a dozen years’ 
growth here has a stem of 12 inches, with a head about as much 
through ; one of Lomaria gibba of the same age has a stem 2^ feet 
in height and nearly 3 feet through the fronds. L. L’Herminieri 
is not readily increased, for until the plant is some age it does 
not afford offsets, and these when produced are from the stem, 
and give the plant a much finer aspect. The offsets root down 
the stem and require to be carefully detached. It succeeds either 
in a stove or greenhouse. It is seldom that a batch of plants can 
be obtained from spores. L. discolor bipinnatifida, introduced by 
Messrs. Yeitch from Melbourne, promises to be arborescent, a 
young plant of three years’ growth having already a short stem, 
from the crown of which spring numerous light green, arching, 
beautifully divided fronds of 18 inches or more in length, the 
pinnae overlapping each other, the outer subdivisions being crisped, 
which give it a fine wavy appearance. It succeeds either in a 
stove or greenhouse temperature, and is one of the most elegant 
and attractive of the Lomarias. 
Ferns on Blochs .—Not unfrequently the common Polypody 
(Polypodium vulgare) is found attached to the stems of aged and 
decaying trees in moist shaded situations, one aged Oak that I 
frequently see having a very picturesque appearance from the 
number of plants of this growing in the angles formed by the 
branches, where there is an accumulation of debris annually added 
to by the advance and decay of the Polypods. Stumps of hardwood 
trees, as Oak, implanted in ferneries and clothed with Ferns that 
have creeping stems and ramble up or down wherever there is a 
moisture-holding substance to attract them, have a much more 
natural appearance, as may be seen at Kew, than as seen on imita¬ 
tion rocks, like nothing in nature or art unless it be that of a 
dovecote. Blocks of Oak in a state of decay, but with heart so 
as to ensure their durability, will often be found in woods, and 
these cut into suitable lengths should have a brass screw inserted 
in a suitable place to secure the copper wire to for their suspen¬ 
sion. To the surface secure the creeping stems of such plants as 
Davallia bullata, D. dissecta, D. parvula, D. solida, Niphobolus 
lingua, N. rupestris, and Campyloneurum csespitosum. The Platy- 
ceriums succeed in this way, their barren fronds soon covering 
the blocks. A little fibrous peat may be introduced along with 
the plants, which may be secured with copper wire and tacks. 
All that is needed is to keep the blocks constantly moist, and 
by reversing their position they will soon be well covered. 
Marcgrariaparadoxa .—For running over rock, up damp walls, 
or up stumps which are kept constantly moist, this is very inter¬ 
esting and ornamental, the stems clinging like Ivy to the surface 
of the rock ; the leaves—of a deep bronzy hue with a metallic 
lustre—lie flat on the surface, and contrast finely with the small 
green leaves of Ficus repens and its var. minima. It requires a 
stove temperature, grows freely in any moisture-holding compost, 
soon covering a large surface, and is readily increased by cuttings. 
Goniophlebivm svbauriculatum .—For suspending this is un¬ 
rivalled ; its wavy fronds from 3 to 5 or 6 feet in length have a 
fine effect in stoves. The baskets should be lined with moss, filled 
with fibrous peat, and the plant introduced at the top. It requires 
to be kept constantly moist. Microlepia hirta cristata is also a 
good basket Fern, and so are the Davallias, especially D. Mariesii, 
D. fijiensis major, and D. Mooreana, care being taken to keep 
the compost thoroughly moist. 
Selaginella Kraussiana anrea .—This is a golden form of the 
well-known green type, and like it will grow almost anywhere, 
increasing very rapidly, and forms a fine golden surface where 
there is moisture.— G. Abbey. 
The Gooseberry Caterpillar .—I quite agree with “ K. K.” (pages 
418-419) with regard to keeping the Gooseberry caterpillar under. 
It is a cleaner and more efficient plan to take off the perforated 
leaves as they appear, than to allow the caterpillars to spread over 
the bush and then endeavour to destroy them. I search once in 
two days, and in half an hour can look over forty bushes.— Alpha. 
Campanula Persicifolia alba fl.-pleno. — I see by the 
last number of the Journal, page 421, that the Royal Horticul¬ 
tural Society awarded a vote of thanks to Mr. Cannell, Swanley 
Nurseries, Kent, for plants and blooms of this beautiful pure 
white double Campanula. I recommended through your columns 
a considerable time since the extended culture of this chaste and 
handsome flower, and think the more as time elapses that Mr. 
Cannell or others cannot do their friends or patrons a greater 
service than by bringing it under their notice. It is perfectly 
hardy, but will bloom all the earlier by having a slight protection 
in winter, or it may be grown in a cool greenhouse, and then in 
spring lifted and divided ; or, if you do not want to extend your 
stock, apply rich mulching. In the open border its fine Camellia¬ 
like blooms are now expanding, and there is no finer white hardy 
flower for bouquets.—W. J. M., Clonmel. 
THE GOOSEBERRY AND CURRANT FLY. 
In reference to the article and accompanying extracts, pages 
418, 419, of the Journal, I wish to remark that evidently some 
degree of perplexity has arisen to “ K. K.,” and perhaps to others, 
from not sufficiently distinguishing between what was written 
upon the true caterpillar (A. grossulariata) and the pseudo or fly 
caterpillar of Nematus or Tenthredo Ribesii, decidedly on the 
whole the worse to deal with. 
There is little excuse for anyone being troubled with the larva 
of A. grossulariata during the spring, since a proper examination 
of the bushes during the autumn, and precautions taken in winter 
as suggested, will largely assist in keeping this species down, 
excepting, indeed, in those cases where persons have on adjacent 
property bushes that are neglected by their owners. 
I am sorry to see that hellebore powder is recommended by 
some, as to me its use during the fruiting season appears dan¬ 
gerous, though it might be employed in the later months of the 
year. A small error has crept into the account of the Currant 
Clear-wing. The eggs are deposited almost invariably in the 
month of June, not April. And in the eighteenth line from the 
bottom of page 419, the words “ from cocoons ” should have been 
printed “form cocoons.”— Your Entomologist. 
On Friday the 3rd inst. the Royal Horticultural So¬ 
ciety’s Great Summer Show commences, and will continue 
until Tuesday the 7th inst. In all the classes the prizes are of 
sufficient value to induce a spirited competition, and it is probable 
that the efforts the Council have made in augmenting many of 
the prizes will increase the number of exhibitors. The compe¬ 
tition in the plant classes promises to be keen, the entries in the 
fruit classes are far more numerous than usual, while the display 
of garden structures, implements, &c., is expected to be the largest 
that has ever been seen in London. Stove and greenhouse plants 
are well provided for, three classes being devoted to them, in 
which the prizes range from £20 to £5. Similar provision is 
made for Orchids; while Azaleas, New Plants, Pelargoniums, 
Roses, Hardy Plants, Groups, and many others have classes 
devoted to them in which liberal prizes are offered. Sixteen 
classes are appropriated to fruits—for Pine Apples, Grapes, 
Peaches, Nectarines, Cherries, Strawberries, Melons, and Tomatoes, 
one being reserved for a collection of vegetables. Gold, silver, 
and bronze medals are offered for exhibits of garden structures, 
implements, and appliances; while special prizes are contributed 
by Mr. W. Bull for New Plants, Messrs. Sutton & Sons for col¬ 
lections of Peas and Melons, and Messrs. Boyd & Sons for a col¬ 
lection of Fruit. The Exhibition will be open to the public at 
one o’clock on Friday, and at ten o’clock on the three other days 
of the Show. 
- The fourth portion of Mr. Day’s Orchids was sold 
by Mr. J. C. Stevens last week, and realised the total sum of 
£1521 10$. Gd. Some of the highest prices obtained were the 
following—Angrascum sesquipedale, 124 guineas ; Dendrobium 
Brymerianum, 20 gs. ; Odontoglossum vexillarium, fine variety, 
10 gs. ; large plant, 17 gs.; Masdevallia chimaera, the true species, 
13 gs.; Aerides Schroderi, 34 gs. ; Lselia anceps var. Dawsoniana, 
