Jane 17, 1886. J 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
4S1 
Piumation, which is generally accompanied by partial or 
entire absence of spores, and which consist in a greater 
foliaceous development, apparently produced at the expense 
of the spores. Several of these classified eccentricities may 
be conjoined in one and the same plant, as, for instance, in 
L. F.-m. angustata cristata congesta, where the ordinary 
lanceolate frond of the Male Fern is narrowed to about an 
inch in width, is extremely congested and finally crested, this 
being, I believe, the result of three separate sports; first a 
natural wild sport—viz., the crested but otherwise normal 
form, a spore of which gave a narrowed form from which, I 
believe (though I have not its history), the congested form 
was raised. Besides these classified forms of varieties there 
are hundreds which can only be ranked as oddities; such as, 
for instance, the cornute forms which have arisen in several 
families, where the midrib is suddenly extended from the 
surface of the frond, like a Thorn; the proliferous forms, 
where young plants bud out in the most unexpected places ; 
the serpentine forms, where the ordinary shuttlecock shape 
is resolved into a sort of Medusa’s head, each frond coiling 
away from the crown and twirling about like a snake. 
Mr. G, B. Wollaston has a Polystichum answering this 
description exactly. Then there are the marginate forms, 
where regular ridges are developed on either side of the frond ; 
pocilliform and truncate varieties, where the frond suddenly 
stops and developes a pocket, and so on ad libitum. 
With regard to proliferation, I should like here to record 
the fact that in my collection I have recently found a seedling 
Lastrea dilatata bearing a young plant on the first frond 
evolved from the prothallus. A plant of Asplenium Adiantum 
nigrum var. microdon has developed a young plant in ths 
axil of one of the pinnte. So far as I know proliferation 
has not been recorded in connection with either of these 
species. 
Having drawn your attention thus to the main forms of 
variation to which Ferns are subject, and some of the 
peculiarities attending their occurrence, I will reserve further 
observations on the subject until after the discussion. 
AMMONIA IN VINERIES. 
I feel sure Mr. Iggulden has been somewhat disappointed 
that some other of your able correspondents have not taken up 
this subject in reply to his valuable and interesting article which 
appeared in the Journal for April 22nd of the present year. For 
my part I have been eagerly looking for some of our great fruit¬ 
growers to give us their experience, but not a word has appeared. 
Why is this ? Is it because the subject is considered of no 
importance, or is it not sufficiently understood ? I am inclined 
to think the latter is the cause; for although we occasionally see 
an article devoted to the subject, it never seems to enter the 
minds of gardeners generally to put the idea into practice. 
This, I think, is to be regretted; for I am convinced that an 
ammonia-charged atmosphere is of the greatest benefit in 
vineries if applied at the proper time and in modelation. 
Having been asked to give my experience I will now endeavour 
to describe how it occurred to me that ammonia was so beneficial 
to the growth of Vines; but before doing so allow me to remark 
that I am a young gardener, and feel myself incapable of doing 
justice to the subject, but I write to gain knowledge, and should 
I say anything that may be at variance with the views of abler 
and more experienced men I shall esteem it a favour to be 
corrected. 
In the year 1877 I was placed in a responsible position 
through the illness and death of my father, who was a thorough 
hardworking gardener, and one of the old school. Amongst 
other things 1 had three vineries unler my charge, and was 
expected to keep up a supply of Grapes from June till February. 
This under favourable circumstances, would have been an easy 
matter; but the Vines were very old, and the houses badly 
heated, and so constructed that it was impossible to give front 
ventilation, except through the brick holes in the front wall 
where the stems of the Vines came through, they being planted 
in an outside border. Now it so happened that the middle Vine 
in the early house had been planted deeper, and came through 
the wall quite 18 inches lower than the rest. For this Vine a 
narrow inside border had been made, the so 1 it contained being 
supported on one side by the front wall, on the other by a brick 
flue. 
During the time the Vines were making growth this small 
border was kept constantly mulched with fresh horse droppings 
for the purpose of supplying rich food to the roots, not a thought 
being given to the ammonia that was arising from the manure 
and feeding the foliage above; but that such was the case I have 
not the slightest doubt, for one day while working in the house 
I was struck by the appearance of the leaves immediately over 
this border. They were of a much deeper green, and possessed 
such a thick leathery substance, quite unlike those in any other 
part of the house. Just before this 1 had read an article in the 
Journal, I think from the pen of Mr. Luckhurst, which led me 
to believe it was the ammonia these Vine leaves were inhaling 
that caused this healthy appearance; and ever since that time 1 
have been quietly following the practice of applying ammonia in 
the form of liquid manure in all vineries under my charge, and I 
am happy to say without a single failure or accident. 
When I came to my present situation a year ago I found the 
Vines in an unsatisfactory condition, but being myself very fond 
of Grape-growing 1 was not long in setting to woric to improve 
them. The first thing done was to apply a dressing of soot to 
the borders, and then thoroughly wash it in, for it was plain to 
me the Vines were being starved ; the leaves were small, and of 
that thin transparent nature which tells its own tale. More¬ 
over, the laterals were much too numerous, in some instances 
there being as many as five on a spur, and the rods not more 
than 18 inches apart. How, 1 ask, was it possible to produce 
satisfactory Grapes under these conditions ? 
As soon as the fruit was off we commenced thinning the 
growths, so as to let in all the light and air possible. Then the 
borders were looked to, and we found a quantity of roots within 
a foot of the surface; but they appeared to have no feeding 
ground, for instead of branching out in all directions they ran 
through the border like whip thongs. These roots, after being 
notched at different places with a sharp knife, were laid in a 
fresh compost, consisting of turfy loam, earth-closet manure, 
lime rubble, and soot. This being done, the borders, which are 
inside, received another watering, and about the end of Novem¬ 
ber a good covering of dry Oak leaves was put on, making all 
safe for the winter. 
Very early Grapes not being required, the Vines were not 
started this season till February, and now comes this important 
ammonia business again. To induce the Vines to break strongly 
3 gallons of liquid manure was sprinkled over the floors and 
stages of the house twice a week. This had the desired effect, 
for the Vines broke evenly and fairly strong. The use of the 
liquid manure was then discontinued till after the Grapes were 
thinned, then the same quantity was applied every alternate day. 
I ought to mention that this was done at closing time, when the 
atmosphere was charged with moisture, there being then much 
less fear of injury. Now that the Grapes are stoned ammonia 
is given every day. It may be asked, “ What about the smell 
attending this P ” My answer is that I have never had a single- 
c mplaint respecting its use, and those of your readers who have 
never tried it would be amazed at the rapid way in which the 
smell passes off. It will be observed that we apply a small 
quantity, and lhat often, and that the Vines enjoy it there is 
not the slightest doubt, for the improvement in their condition 
in so short a time is marvellous. 
In conclusion I wish to thank Mr. Iggulden for what he has 
said on the above subject, and he will be glad to know that his 
teaching is appreciated by—F. H. W. 
LIVERPOOL—VISITORS’ GUIDE. 
By whatever route Liverpool is approached visitors will not be 
favourably impressed with the locality as one suitable for gardening 
operations. The prospacts only a few miles out are by no means 
encouraging, for tall chimneys and factories are abundant. In spite, how¬ 
ever, of these and other difficulties visitors will find gardening well done. 
Liverpool gardeners have long since boasted that they are capable of hold¬ 
ing their own, and I think after the neighbourhood has been visited it will 
be readily admitted that they have good grounds for such an assertion. 
It is perfectly true that Liverpool cannot boast of having within her 
suburbs so many lordly establishments as crowd the neighbourhood of 
some great cities ; but there are perhaps more moderate-sized gardens 
where good culture is carried out than are to be found within the suburbs 
of any other city. It is not always in the largest establishments that the 
best gardening is to be found ; on the contrary, the reverse is often the. 
ease. It is generally from such gardens as these that the plants and 
fruits are staged at our spring, summer, and autumn exhibitions. These 
ceitainly are exceptions to this rule. 
It is" my intention to name only those gardens that are not a wide dis¬ 
tance from the centre of Liverpool, and which are readily reached by rail 
or ’bus. It is certain that gardeners will not have the time to pay a visit 
to the whole of the establishments within a certain radius, and therefore 
many that are equally well worthy of a visit will naturally have to be left 
