March 15, 18?8.] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
22^ 
fronds, everywhere beautifully undulated, arc thrice divided, and attain 
from 6 to 10 inehes in length. 
All the New Zealand and Tasmanian species of Hymenophyllum, 
either glabrous or hairy, were there in their element, and perfect masses, 
which from little plants had there grown to huge dimensions, were to be 
admired of the pretty and comparatively dwarf H. crispatum, which in 
its native habitats clothes the trunks of Tree Ferns ; of H. demissiim, 
a handsome species whose dark glossy fronds attain 18 inches in length, 
and of its variety nitens, smaller in all its proportions and with more 
finely cut fronds of a lighter green ; of II. dilatatum, one of the largest 
and most beautiful species of the genus, and which in New Zealand is 
found growing in moss and decaying vegetable matter, where its broad 
pale green fronds, much admired for their gracefully drooping segments, 
attain from 1.5 to 20 inches in length ; of H. flexuosum and H. pul- 
cherrimum, the latter of which, grown there in hanging baskets, formed 
I)erfect balls of hanging seaweed-like finely cut fronds ; also of H. 
scabrum, H. aeruginosum, and others too numerous to be detailed here. 
While among the Trichomanes, besides the European species popularly 
known as the Killarney Fern, Trichomanes radicans, which grows with 
thick rhizomes creeping on rocks in the south-west of Ireland and 
Madeira, we find that the cool treatment most benefited the South 
American T. angustatum, a very delicate - looking and beautiful 
creeping species with very narrow pinnules, and fronds 4 to 5 inches 
long borne on hair-like stalks ; the T. exsectum, a species from Southern 
Chili, where it is found hanging from the roofs of dark caverns ; its 
extremely delicate and membranaceous fronds, which are highly divided 
into narrow segments of a cheerful bright colour, reaching from 12 to 
14 inches in length ; the beautiful Todea-like T. meifolium from the 
mountains of Java ; T. pyxidiferum, T. venosum, &c. 
All the above-named species and many more were grown at Upper 
Grosvenor Street on the leads at the back of the dwelling house, and in 
the midst of London soot, fog, and of an atmosphere constantly impreg¬ 
nated with gas, where, one structure having become overcrowded by 
their exemplary growth, another one was erected, in which, however, no 
means of heating was introduced. There the Ferns luxuriated, and the 
Trichomanes reniforme, a New Zealand species, conspicuous by its large 
kidney-shaped fronds, which are quite as transparent as those of the 
most finely divided kinds, formed a glorious specimen about 2 feet in 
diameter, which, with its foliage produced in such abundance that each 
frond overlapped its immediate neighbour, was in itself a sight worth a 
special visit to this remarkable place, in which the constant amount of 
moisture necessary to the welfare of the Ferns was the greatest difficulty 
to contend with. This, however, was to a great extent overcome by the 
liberal use of sphagnum, which was placed between the pots aiid crammed 
under the stages and other places out of sight. By that means a com¬ 
paratively moist atmosphere was constantly kept, but the temperature 
in winter frequently falling to 3^°, and occasionally to 35°, caused the 
loss of a few of the West Indian species. For instance, the superb 
Trichomanes maximum, the stately T. anceps, the dwarf-growing 
T. spicatum, T. Zollingerianum,andafewoth re never supported the cool 
treatment, and their culture had to be abandoned. Mr. J. Cooper Forster 
being most earnest in the object he had in view made numerous and 
costly experiments, keeping careful records of their results, and when 
perfectly satisfied as to the hardihood of certain species, would then 
have it known among all lovers of these beautiful plants, which served 
equally to the decoration of the windows of his dining-room and stair¬ 
case, W'here they were the admiration of every beholder. One of his 
most ardent wishes was to see Filmy Ferns grown in a more congenial 
position and temperature than they had hitherto been in Kew Gardens, 
and he exerted himself in their behalf to such an extent, that some five 
or six years ago a new place was built for them in the temperate Fern 
house. No. 3, where formerly they were only partitioned off near the 
western door, a case containing Todeas and Trichomanes radicans. In 
that cool house most of the Ferns, which for years had been simply 
kept alive under separate glass cases in the tropical Fern house. No. 2, 
have now been growing with a vigour which denotes the benefit which 
they have undoubtedly derived from the change. This cool treatment, 
besides being simpler in itself, possesses also the immense advantage of 
keeping the Ferns perfectly free from insects, whereas when kept in 
heat they are frequently attacked by thrips and other pests, which, by 
their depredations, completely disfigure and weaken them in a corre¬ 
sponding degree. 
The comparative paucity of Todeas in this grand collection is due to 
Mr. J. Cooijer Forster’s antipathy to plants of acknowledged easy culture, 
as I have frequently heard him remark that “ these grow with every¬ 
body, they are to other Filmies what the Indiarubber and the Aspi¬ 
distra are to other decorati vc plants, and there is nothing to study or 
to learn from the behaviour of such plants.” He preferred the species 
of cultivation reputed difficult, for the successful raising of which he 
had no rival. Such was the man who on March the 2nd, 1886, was 
suddenly taken from the field of his labours in science and horticul 
ture, and whose loss is deeply regretted by all who were acquainted 
wi:h him. 
The Filmies were then removed to' Binfield House, Bracknell, near 
Ascot, where his son, Mr. Stuart Forscer, the present generous donor, had 
a house built specially for their reception, and where, besides the purer 
country air, they also enjoyed a more spacious accommodation, and 
altogether more comfort. The house, which is a lean-to, is sunk about 
2 feet below the level of the exterior ground, and built in such a way 
as to have a constant supply of moisture, and, as Ijy its judicious expo¬ 
sition the Ferns require but very little shading, they, of couree, give but 
very little trouble to their owner, yet since they have been there they 
have made such marked progress as Mr. J. Cooper Forster him.self could 
never have anticipateil. With the exception of the Trichomanes reni¬ 
forme above referred to, all the Filmies at Binfield are planted out in 
an artificial rockwork built of porous sandstone, and in such position, 
not only have the Ferns benefited by the change, but their improvement 
in some cases is very noticeable, and it is to be hoped that their safe- 
transfer will not in any way interfere with their welfare, and that their 
installation in the houses of Kew Gardens, where no doubt some suitable; 
accommodation will be provided for them so as to keep the collection 
intact, as well as the deserving care which they will receive there, will 
help to render Filmy Ferns more popular with the generality of Fern 
growers, who will not fail to consider the presentation to the national 
establishment a most handsome and very valuable gift.— Theo. 
CHRYSANTHEMUM PRINCESS OF TECK. 
JIe. Pettigrew has thrown a bombshell into the ranks of Chrysan¬ 
themum growers. This is what I thought on reading the article on the 
above subject. What I did was to go straight to my cold pits (which, by 
the way, I had not seen the inside of for a week owing to the severe 
weather), and where I had about one hundred plants of Princess Teck 
stowed away for protection, to be planted out when favourable weather 
occurs. These jjlants I had intended to astonish the Chrysanthemum 
world with at the January Show of the National Society this year, 
having cut them down a month later than usual for that purpose ; but 
my hopes were nipped in the bud, as were also my Princess Tecks, by 
the severe frosts in October, owing to the young shoots not being; 
matured enough. They were taken into the house and tried, but I 
found the flowers that would open on them would not pay for the room 
they occupied* They were cut down and placed in the cold pit as' 
above, but on r, ading Mr. Pettigrew’s article my hopes re-awakened,, 
but I am sorry to have to record there is at present not much sign of 
many shoots for cuttings, not to mention flowers. I should like Mr. 
Pettigrew to give us a more definite description of the plants he has 
mentioned, especially as they are in a trading establishment where 
flowers and plants are grown for profit. Had they been in a 
private establishment I should not have asked the question, as I 
should have concluded the smallest quantity of flowers in January 
and February would be acceptable, but in a nursery at that time 
of year the space is important. I would like Mr. Pettigrew or Mr. 
Crossling to tell us how many flowers there were on each plant, and 
what size were the largest of the flowers. The article as it stands would 
almost start one dreaming of two crops of flowers off the same plant 
in one season, a feat which I should think of all the Chrysanthemums 
the Princess Teck is the least likely to perform. I had myself this year 
several plants, such as Curiosity and Comte de Germiny, which threw 
up flower buds from the root, but the few small flowers they would have 
produced would not have paid for the trouble and room ; and I also 
noticed this year more than any other the Princess Tecks that flowered 
with me in December threw out side shoots and smalt buds, but they 
also would not have paid for any further trouble. Is Mr. Pettigrew 
quite sure he has not made a mistake in the variety ? Soeur Melanie 
would be more likely in my opinion to throw up suckers. In any case, 
I should say if the plants and flowers are in any way respectable it is a 
remarkable freak of Nature, and I as a grower of Chrysanthemums in 
a small way for profit, w'ould be much obliged if either of the gentlemen 
would tell us candidly if these plants have given enough flowers to pay 
for the time and room. If they have not they can only be regarded as- 
curiosities in a small way.—W. Brown, Florid, Riclinumd, Surrey, 
SINGLE CHRYSANTHEMUMS. 
Single Chrysanthemums are becoming popular, especially with- 
those who are not bound by any of the rules, strictly confining their 
tastes to the florists’ flowers. They are the easiest of cultivation of 
any Chrysanthemum that I am acquainted with, are comparatively 
dwarf in habit, and flower profusely. They can be grown in smaller 
pots and are much more useful for cutting and arranging in centre 
pieces for the dinner table or epergnes than the others, which are much 
too heavy. Some of the sorts, notably Mrs. Langtry, pos.sess a most, 
agreeable perfume when in flower, one or two plants in a house being 
sufficient to diffuse an agreeable odour, which is noticed the moment the 
house is entered. As yet they have not been seen much at exhibitions, 
for the reason that encouragement has not been given to them in the- 
shape of prizes except in a few instances. 
Chrysanthemum exhibitors do not, as a rule, grow the single varieties^ 
in the best way. Growing the plants in bush form_ and allowing 
plenty of flowers to develope is the best method. Cuttings should be 
inserted from the middle ot January to the same time in February 
singly in small pots, or two or three cuttings in pots 3 inches in 
diameter, using sandy soil. Place the cuttings under handlights in a cool 
house, shading from bright sun. Sprinkle them occasionally to prevent 
