August 14, 1884. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
139 
the best varieties of tuberous Begonias, Pelargoniums, Gladiolus Colvilbb 
Boronias, Gloxinias, Achimenes, and the tiny-leaved Sibthorpia europtea 
variegata, which makes a charming little pot plant. Arranged by the wall 
of the dwelling house was a healthy collection of Azaleas, Camellias, and 
other baidwooded plants. There is a trim little lawn with a border of 
choice hardy Fern=, comprising the best species ol Osmundas, Asplenium®, 
Polystichums, and others one side, and tastefully arranged flower beds. 
In one corner a little sub-tropical gardening is successfully attempted, as 
well as a few hardy plants. Underneath the shadow of some noble Elm 
trees is a sunk pit in which is flourishing a good collection of Filmy Ferns. 
Mr. Adkin simply had a rough hole excavated to the depth of 4 feet, in 
which a few stones were placed here and there. In the nooks and crannies 
he planted small plants of Hymenophyllum dilatatum, Todea Wilkesiana, 
and superba. These are now growing well. Plunged in large pans at the 
bottom are Trichomanes radicans, Todea superba, and Hymenophyllum 
tunbridgense all growing well and seeming quite at home. The cool moist 
atmosphere has caused hundreds of little Ferns of other genera to come up 
thickly. This little Fern cavern is covered with an ordinary frame light, 
and is shaded during bright sunshine. Great attention is paid to the proper 
amount of moisture being given to them. At the bottom of the garden 
are the tool sheds, which are covered with a glass roof. Shelves are fitted 
up near the glass, and these are filled with choice half-hardy Ferns. 
It will thus be seen that every available space is turned to account. 
Mr. Adkin is justly proud of his plants : and, as 1 have previously stated, he 
employs no skilled gardener, but pots, trains, and waters his own plants. 
The only assistance he receives is a man occasionally to do the rough 
portions of the work. As Mr. Adkin’s business demands his attention in 
town daily he has only the evening at his disposal. The tending and 
ministering to the wants of his plants is to him one of the greatest plea¬ 
sures, and he is to be congratulated on his choice and well-grown plants 
in his interesting little houses and garden.—T. W. S. 
VINES AFTER FRUITING. 
As a rule when Vines are starting into growth, forming fruit 
and swelling their crops, they have every attention required to 
assist the fruit in finishing, but when this is all cut many are apt 
to think they have done their part with them for the season, and 
give them no moi'e attention. This is quite a mistake, as much 
of the attention which can be given to Vines after fruiting will 
benefit them more than all their first requirements, so far as 
their successful fruiting the following season is concerned. 
Very early Vines may be quite yellow in the leaf. By this 
time the wood is brown and matured, but tlie roots are not at 
rest, and if they do not have sufficient wmter now they will 
shivel, and many will die. Inside roots especially are most 
liable to suffer in this way, and it is the worst thing which could 
happen to them. All Vines, no matter at what stage of growth 
they may be in, should be watered as liberally at the roots now and 
throughout the autumn as they were when the fruit and leaves 
were green. This is the only w’ay to keep them robust and 
healthy in the highest degree. 
So much for the roots ; now for the leaves. When the interior 
of the vinery is humid, and everything green and growing, 
insects have hard work to gain a footing; but when the atmo¬ 
sphere is kept dry, when the fruit is ripening, if insects exist 
they are sure to spread, and very often Vines which showed no 
signs of being infested with insects at the beginning of the ripe 
fruit season will be found to be overrun with thrips or red spider 
befoie the fruit has been all cut, and these must be battled with 
after the Vines have fruited. Decayed leaves and superHuous 
shoots, such as the young points which form on the tops of the 
main shoots during the summer, should all be taken away, and 
then begin syringing. This must be done with vigour. Clean 
water applied through the engine is very serviceable, but paraffin 
oil and water is preferable. There is no insecticide to equal it, 
and a gallon or so will thoroughly cleanse several vineries. I 
use one wineglassful to one gallon of water. Syringe it on freely, 
and only allow it to remain on a few minutes. Its effect is 
instantaneous, and one good syringing of it will completely 
clear the vinery for the remainder of the season. Where no 
insects exist on the Vines it is an advantage to wash the leaves 
with clean water. Ventilation is not an important matter in the 
case of such Vines, as the best way to do is to open the lights 
back and front full}", and allow them to remain like this night 
and day.—A Kitchen Gaedenee. 
ST. BRUNO’S LILY. 
There are few of the dwarf Liliaceous plants which will bear com¬ 
parison with the charming old St. Bruno’s Lily, Anthericum liliastrum, 
represented in the accompanying woodcut (lig. 25), and which also hears 
the generic synonyms of Czackia and Paradisia. In almost any position, 
with the exception of one that is very dry, this bulb will do fairly well; 
hut it will thrive excellently in a situation with a west exposure, partially 
damp subsoil, in a rich soil, free on the smdace, by adding small pieces of 
brick or stone. 
Although introduced as far back as 1629, shortly after which time it 
was a gi’eat favourite, its popularity has greatly diminished, owing pro¬ 
bably to the superiority of many of our later introductions of Liliums 
although none of the white sorts can be used in the same way as the 
Anthericum, being too tall for a front position in mixed borders, a position 
in which the St. Bruno’s Lily will be found to be very effective in the 
early spring months. For the rockery at that season it is almost without 
a rival, and although it may leave bare spaces in the summer months 
these may easily be covered by other trailing or overhanging plants with¬ 
out harming the bulbs. 
It seldom exceeds a foot in height; and the many spikes, which bear a 
profusion of spotless white flowers, about 2 inches long, hell-shaped, nearly 
double the size of the common A. Liliago, are extremely fragrant, and 
keep long when in a cut state. The leaves are narrow, grass-like, and are 
produced in small tufts. It is a native of Southern Europe. A variety of 
handsome appearance, named A. liliastrum major, sent out by nursery¬ 
men, is undoubtedly a very great acquisition, and ought to be a general 
garden favourite.—M. S. 
THOUGHTS ON CURRENT TOPICS. 
I THOUGHT when I read the first article in the Journal last 
week that an “ Old Gai’dener ” was not a believer in the doctrine 
condensed into a line by Pope, that “ whatever is is right.” On 
the conti’ary, I was forced to the conclusion that the convictions 
of your correspondent are the exact opposite of that doctrine, 
and that one of the canons of his belief is—whatever is is wrong. 
