November 19, 1885. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
449 
In the bush we saw nine distinct species of Ferns. The Filmy Ferns 
were represented by Hymenophyllum Malingi, one of the rarest of the 
family, which grew on dead Cedars with a north aspect, H. multifidum 
carpeted the ground with its bright green fronds, H. polyanthos grew on 
the trees, but was rather scarce, H. villosum was found on bare rocks in 
very exposed situations, H. scabrum, with its long drooping fronds, in 
damp places. Alsophila Colensoi (the Grove Fern) was prevalent, grow¬ 
ing very large in the bush. Polystichum vestitum was very common; a 
forked variety of it was found by Mr. Brown. The Carrot Fern, Asple- 
nium Richardi, and A. flabellifolium, were scarce. Cystopteris novte- 
zealandiae, which is one of the few deciduous Ferns, was very plentiful, 
its pale green fronds making it easily distinguished. Of Lomarias we 
saw lanceolata, alpina, and discolor. The little Polypodium australis 
grew on dead trees. Goniopteris pennigerum was very scarce. Of Lyco¬ 
podiums Billardieri was growing in hollows of the Pitch Pine, and L. 
Selago covered patches on the ground 2 or 3 yards across, looking like 
a bed of seedling Conifers. 
Mr. Brown, who devoted himself to the collection of Mosses, found 
several new species of Andreate, Weissia, Tortula, Orthotrichum, Ere- 
modon, and a Polytrichum with flat ovate capsules. Dicranum clath- 
ratum, a rather scarce variety, was abundant in this district. Of 
Hepaticas there were Gottschia ciliata, Madotheca Stangeria, and Trt- 
cholea tomentosa. 
Monday morning was fine, the sun shining on the distant peaks, so 
we said good-bye to our friends who had treated us so kindly at the 
camp. Mr. Lander gave us valuable information as to the habitats of 
the plants, and Mr. Slater and Mr. McClure, of the survey staff, were 
equally ready to be of service to the first party of botanists who had 
visited these remote ranges. The cook lent us his horse to caTry our 
swags to the lower camp, and we were put across the main branch of 
the Wilberforce by one of Mr. Lander’s men. ItwaslP.M. when we 
got over the river, but we managed to reach Fisher’s whare, and remained 
there all night. Made a start at daybreak, and had some difficulty in 
crossing the Harper, as the ford had been washed away by the heavy 
flood ; we bad to go a long way up stream before we found a safe crossing 
place. Having crossed at a fork, we made good progress to Lake Selfe, 
where, during a short halt, we found a terrestrial Orchid, which with the 
Water Quillwort, we added to our collection. Reached the head of Lake 
Coleridge at dusk. One of the miners who had a horse came up with us 
near Lake Lyndon and carried our heavy swags to the hotel at the foot 
of Porter’s Pa«s, where we arrived at 7 p.m. Next day we were fortunate 
in getting a lift in a dray going to Springfield, and were glad when we 
found ourselves in the train for Christchurch, where we arrived at 7.40 
thoroughly knocked up, but satisfied with the result of our ten-days trip 
to the district of the quartz reefs of Canterbury. 
SNOWDROPS. 
These would appear to be. unusually early this year, as quantities 
were to be seen the last week in October peeping through the soil. Large 
quantities are planted round the borders of the shrubbery here ; where 
overhanging branches shelter them they are much in advance of the 
others less favoured. No doubt the long spell of dry weather this summer 
ripened the bulbs early, and this, coupled with a mild autumn and 
frequent rains, would ‘favour an early growth ; consequently, early 
flowering may be expected should the winter not be too severe. They 
are highly esteemed here when in bloom for house decoration in pots, and 
for this purpose clumps are taken up from the borders and reduced when 
necessary to a size sufficient to fill a 6-inch pot. When the buds are 
formed is tbe time we commence taking up plants for pots; these are 
placed in a warm greenhouse and kept well watered ; some fresh green 
moss is put around them to serve the double purpose of giving a neat 
appearance and to keep the soil regularly moist. As soon as the flowers 
begin fading! they are planted in the borders from whence they were 
taken and allowed to ripen naturally, others being lifted to fill their places. 
By these means only sufficient are potted for tbe use of the house, as 
limited glass space necessitates as little overcrowding as possible.—S. B. 
HYDRANGEAS IN THE OPEN AIR. 
I HAVE a very high opinion of these, which is no doubt produced by 
the specimens we have here. They are all over the pleasure grounds. 
Many are round bushy plants 6 feet high and 10 feet through. Some¬ 
times I have counted 700 heads of bloom on one plant, and from 300 
to 500 is about the average. In the lower part of the grounds the flowers 
are a bright pink colour, but farther up they are of a bright blue. Some 
prefer the first, others the latter. They come into flower about the 
beginning of August, and remain fresh and effective until frost cuts them 
off, which is never before December. They are very striking the whole of 
the time they are in flower, and they make as good a display in autumn as 
the Rhododendrons do in spring. The heads of bloom are hardly so large 
this season as I have seen them. I think the excessive drought we had in 
July and August hindered their development. In some seasons, when the 
blooms were at their largest, the whole plant has been such a mass of 
colour that it was almost impossible to catch a glimpse of the green 
foliage anywhere, and I think they are prettier with the heads of bloom 
smaller and the foliage showing thiough between them than they were 
when one mass of colour. 
They are very handsome, and might be planted out more often than 
we see them. Many consider they are tender and would not bear the 
winter in all parts, but this is a mistake. I do not mean to say that they 
will withstand any amount of frost, but they will bear a low temperature, 
as those here have been exposed to a temperature 18° below freezing point 
fer a considerable period, and they were neither killed nor checked. We 
generally allow the flower heads to remain on all winter, and these afford 
the stems much protection. I feel sure if those of your readers who have 
plants in pots would not coddle them during the winter, but keep them 
outside and harden them well, they might safely be planted out in almost 
any part of the country in spring. They would not grow very 
luxuriantly in bleak exposed positions, but in front gardens in town or 
country and sheltered parts of pleasure grounds and woodlands they 
would soon become the wonder of all who saw them. A rich soil suits 
them best at all times, and as the plants become large and have drawn a 
large amount of nourishment from the soil, liberal top-dressings should be 
' put round them every autumn. In Scotland and the north of England I 
have often seen these plants matted for the winter, but we never practise 
anything of the kind here, and probably much harm is done by giving 
protection before it is wanted or in cases where it could be dispensed 
with altogether.—J. Muir, Margam, S. Wales. 
PLANT-GROUPING FOR EFFECT. 
In the paper read before the Dundee Horticultural Society by Mr. 
Williamson, appearing in the Journal September 17th (page 256), on 
“Tables of Plants,” is very interesting and very ably treated. I may 
say the few remarks I now venture to make were penned the following 
week, but withheld in the hope that someone more able than myself 
might ventilate the subject. 
Nothing, perhaps, has done more to enlighten gardeners than the 
styles of arrangements in grouping, and doubtless Mr. Wills is entitled to 
some gratitude, not only from gardeners, but the furnishing and plant 
trade generally. Mr. Williamson dwells at some length upon the wording 
of schedules, and certainly much pains is needed in order to convey a 
correct idea of what is to be the judging line ; but, as careful as com¬ 
mittees may he on this point, there is certain to be a great diversity of 
style and tastos displayed, because of the different plants at disposal, and 
a style of arrangement must be adopted to suit the plants. Therefore, in 
order to exhibit really high-class groups to harmonise in all points, con¬ 
siderable forethought is required. As in bedding out, the real object 
must be pre-arranged ; each plant must be as near as possible the required 
size ; and, again, each plant must be a specimen in itself. When this is 
done not many unsightly and almost useless plants will be retained. Such 
high-class groups certainly appear to be the most interesting feature of 
good shows, and when such interest is carried home the benefit must be 
general, and when groups are arranged at home prior to any particular 
show or shows young men derive considerable benefit and become more 
interested in the well-being of the plants. There is one very apparent 
benefit, that requiring a great number of Ferns in various sizes. These 
are also useful for cutting purposes, as thickly grown plants are not so 
light or effective, and a few fronds are no loss ; and, again, when Ferns 
are thinly placed as a complete groundwork upon the stages, in a conserva¬ 
tory or greenhouse, what a pleasing effect is produced by having other 
well-grown specimens, large or small, also thinly dispersed, springing up 
in various heights. 
Plants must be specially prepared ; and, further, certain plants are 
almostiudispensable for the purpose, haviDg a goodly supply of Maiden¬ 
hair Ferns, A. gracillimum, cuneatum, and others in smaller quantities; 
also Panicum variegatum, Selaginella3 cassia, arborea, Kraussiana aurea, 
and several equally graceful, and especially Lygodium scandens. 
The next important point is a centre plant, and here is a point 
worthy of some discussion. Many use Cocos Weddelliana, but, rightly or 
wrongly, I havo never admired this as a centre, often because many of the 
same have also been used in other parts of the group. Dracaena Veitchii 
is also, if employed, and if a well-grown plant, has fine effect. The best 
Palm for most forms of groups, in my opinion, is Phoenix rupicola. 
Centres must of course vary a little to suit tbe surrounding plants. 
Crotons may be regarded as of next importance, as without a fair 
selection of well-grown Crotons a group can only be of average quality. 
This means that a gardener who has not a stove has no chance, and the 
only way would seem to be to offer prizes for groups of plants arranged 
for effect without stove plants, moaning, of course, such plants only that 
require stove all the year round. Crotons are so numerous in point of 
variety and colour, and I may also add reasonable in price, there is 
nothing to prevent anyone having a good collection, the drooping and 
narrow-leaved varieties being generally most effective, though some of 
the stronger growers, when well grown and coloured, are very useful. 
C. volutus at its best, on single stem, is one that is much admired ; and, 
with regard to single stems, these are by far the best in nearly all 
varieties for grouping purposes. Nothing can excel in appearance a 
Croton 3 feet high, and yet retaining all its foliage ; and to do this 
requires no small amount of skill. Regarding compost, has anyone tried 
an equal mixture charcoal, half-inch bones, and oyster shells crushed ? 
We have, and shall continue it. 
Of Dractenas, old terminalis and Cooperii are among the best, on 
account of their free growth and rich colour, though many of the newer 
varieties are extremely effective when at their best. Amabilis, especially 
towards the back of some groups, is very telling. Another variegated 
and indispensable plant is Eulalia japonica, which is easily managed in 
all sizes. With a fair number of these it is almost impossible to have a 
group too stiff or too green. Then may follow Palms of various heights, 
such as Cocos, Geonoma, Calamus asperrimus, and other choice forms. 
