■Job* iJ, 1887. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
505 
Blechnum corcovadenae and those of the smaller B. occidentale are 
also of a particularly attractive colour during their youth ; while 
those of the tropical American Polypodium appendiculatum also 
deserve a special mention on account not only of their transparency, 
* s uncomraon to all other Ferns in cultivation, but also for 
deep purple colour which is peculiar to them ; both characters 
which are shown to perfection when the plant is grown in hanging 
baskets against the light, in which position it delights. In Osmunda 
pilustria we have a Brazilian evergreen species of the Royal Fern 
Oi diminutive size, but which produces in great abundance its lovely 
pale fronds, which in youth are equal in colour to the best of the 
Maidenhair Ferns above quoted. The genus Lastrea also contains 
several species very attractive on account of their bright colours, as 
besides the variegated Japanese form of L. aristata, we have in 
B. erythrosora and varia, two species equally of Japanese origin, 
some superb bronzy tints unequalled by the foliage of any other 
I 1 erns ; but of all that numerous genus the species which has the 
prettiest coloured fronds is undoubtedly Lastrea prolifica, another 
Japanese plant with leathery fronds finely divided and of a bright 
pink when partly developed, bronzy afterwards, and finally of a 
dark shining green, a species doing well under cold treatment. 
Doodia aspera multifida, again, is a plant of small dimensions, but 
with beautifully coloured created foliage. 
That extensive genus, Pteris, also a number of forms with 
coloured foliage, for independently of the popular forms with 
w-hite coloured fronds, such as the gigantic P. argyrsea from the 
Fiast Indies, the P. cretica albo-lineata, of dwarfer stature, the new 
P. Mayi, a natnral hybrid of garden origin, which appears to be a 
crested form of the latter, and promises on account of its hardy 
texture to become one of the most useful plants for room decora- 
tioii; We have in P. aspericaulis a plant of good free growth, 
attaining noble proportions, and furnished with foliage whose bright 
colours when only partly developed can vie in comparison with that 
of the best Maidenhair Ferns. The pearl of that genus, however, 
is the beautiful though somewhat more delicate East Indian 
P. tricolor, whose fronds are most beautifully variegated ; the centre 
of each of their divisions forms a space of bright rosy red colour, 
with a margin of white on each side, the whole set off by the con¬ 
trast of the rich shining green of the outer portion of the limb of 
the frond. 
Then, again, what can be more effective than the beautiful 
glaucous tint of the foliage of the strong-growing tropical American 
Polypodiums aureum and sporodocarpum ? Their colour is par¬ 
ticularly useful to the decorator when the plants are used in com¬ 
panionship with the dark shining Polystichum setosum, certain 
Marattias, Aspleniums, Lastreas, &c., or in conjunction with the 
Adiantums venustum, speciosum, concinnum latum, Davallia Moore- 
ana, Pteris scaberula, Osmunda japonica corymbifera, and many 
other kinds whose pale green colour blends so admirably with darker 
tints and shows them to the greatest advantage. If to the above- 
described plants we also add the several species and varieties of 
Silver and Gold Ferns, and a host of plants with intermediate 
tints, we shall find ample materials for making very effective groups 
composed exclusively of Ferns, all beautiful in appearance, elegant 
in habit, and of a duration equal to if not surpassing that of 
fiowering and other decorative plants combined.— Theo. 
MELON SUPPORTS. 
Mb. Iggulden appears to be an adept in treating the readers of the 
Journal to something startling and original, the latest of which is 
growing Melons, as I presume he means, on wire trellises without sup¬ 
porting the fruit. That he will get very few practical gardeners to 
follow his ideas I feel convinced, but as there are many amateurs who 
read the Journal, with the view of assisting them in adopting the best 
methods, I would strongly advise them not to follow it either, as I am 
positive more disappointments and failures would follow than if a little 
care was bestowed in making the fruit secure. 
I fully admit that this is often done in a very bungling way, but 
this should not cause the practice of supporting Melons to be condemned 
as “ uncalled ” for and useless. I think it would take one very little 
time to convince themselves that supports are at least the safest, and 
for other reasons much the better plan. If Melons are only grown pro¬ 
perly neither “ Royalty " nor anyone else can detect in the appearance 
or flavour whether they had received the support of saucers, strips of 
raffia, or anything else. I should think after all Mr. Igguldeu only in¬ 
tends a little banter. — R. Parker, lmpney Garden*. 
FASHION IN FLORAL ART. 
That there is no law which controls fashions is everywhere apparent, 
and the ever increasing number of floral artists who are constantly on 
the alert to create some new design which is likely to meet with the 
tastes of a flower-loving public. The much-admired Maidenhair Fern 
(Adiantum cuneatum), which in its relationship to flowers artistically 
arranged has so long been an indispensable favourite, seems for the 
moment to be losing ground, though there is little fear but that it will 
always be in demand in the majority of floral designs. The reasons for 
its being less in request just now are various, primarily perhaps on 
account of its sudden collapse when subjected to much exposure, for if 
ever so hardily grown it is not calculated to endure a great amount of 
hardship when severed from the plant. This has been the experience of 
many who have placed some of their handiwork in the shape of a floral 
wreath, cross, or other design in competition upon the tables of their 
local horticultural societies. Fresh and bright no doubt when staged, 
and possessing that lightness and elegance which should grace all floral 
devices, but which ere the judges came to make the awards, was suffer¬ 
ing considerably from the exposure to which it had been subjected. 
In place of the Maidenhair various coloured leaves are fast coming 
into general use, and if carefully associated with the flowers they not 
only considerably economise the latter, but introduce varying tones of 
colour which we cannot always command in flowers. The majority of 
this coloured foliage may be gathered from trees, shrubberies, and 
hedgerows in the autumn. Those who have experience in large gardens 
or in nurseries where deciduous trees and shrubs are grown abundantly 
will not need reminding of the many exquisite shades of colour to be 
found in foliage in autumn. Very pleasing instances of how effectively 
both foliage and fruits of wayside plants may be utilised may often be 
seen at various harvest festival services in country places, and it is 
worthy of note that in the isolated districts decorations of this kind are 
carried out extensively, and in a manner highly creditable to the 
workers. 
Apart, however, from such decorations as these, the fashion for per¬ 
sonal adornment is considerably changed, buttonholes and sprays being 
frequently seen with coloured leaves which are fast coming into general 
use, and which certainly make up a very appropriate arrangement on 
the whole. Very natural is it, then, with such a change as this the Ivy 
should hold a very prominent position, and especially that known as the 
“ Heidelberg,” a variety with small leaves and of a beautiful reddish 
bronzy hue, and which in clever hands may be worked up most effec¬ 
tively with flowers of various hues, and are even pleasing alone when 
several are placed artistically together. Whether such a departure as 
this will be beneficial to the English florist generally is a doubtful ques¬ 
tion, seeing that the majority of these Ivy leaves are imported from 
France, which, coupled with the disuse of the Maidenhair Fern, does 
not increase the advantages of the Britisher, and especially so when we 
consider that although we can grow Ivy abundantly in England, we 
cannot obtain that pleasing hue which gives it the preference. But 
while the Ivy in question makes a very appropriate arrangement it is 
generally admired. Yet there is no reason to stay there, for we have a 
great variety of other foliage which in many floral designs may be 
utilised in various ways, each in themselves unique. Take, for example, 
the lovely little Panicum variegatum, which is invaluable, especially in 
crosses, wreaths, and many ordinary bouquets and sprays ; it gives an 
air of lightness and elegance to the arrangement which is much to be 
desired, especially if disposed in an easy and natural manner. At some 
of the Chrysanthemum shows last year the use of coloured leaves and 
the general falling off in Maidenhair Fern was particularly noticeable. 
For instance, a lady’s ball dress trail was composed of Roses, Ivy 
leaves, Roman Hyacinths, Copper Beech leaves, Rose twigs, Bouvardia, 
and Asparagus plumosus, with not a sprig of Maidenhair Fern in the 
whole arrangement, which was certainly most effective. In another 
case, richly coloured Vine leaves, with purple Nut leaves, were effec¬ 
tively used with bronze and gold Chrysanthemums. Very effective and 
hardy, too, are some of the Berberis, while the miniature sprays of 
Lonicera aurea reticulata invariably work in with any flowers except 
those of a golden hue. Particularly rich in this respect are the numerous 
Japanese Maples, but as they are deciduous it considerably diminishes 
their value. Take, again, the Maidenhair Tree, Salisburia adianti- 
folia, which affords an excellent foliage for many purposes ; it is not 
perhaps sufficiently abundant to be had in quantity, but if the foliage 
is dried it is ready at any time for use. The White Thorn of our hedge¬ 
rows, and in many places the leaves of the Brambles, are also pleasing in 
their varying tints, such as we cannot imitate in flowers during a cer¬ 
tain period of the year. 
In Azaleas of the mollis section again we meet with hues of red and 
bronze and some gold, while in the foliage of Roses we have an abun¬ 
dant supply of tints, with centres of green and margins of a reddish hue, 
which, if preserved, will be found most helpful to those whose time is 
spent more particularly in artistic work of this kind.—J. H. E. 
THE YORK GALA. 
In almost tropical heat this great Yorkshire horticultural Show com¬ 
menced on the 15th inst. with a larger attendance of visitors than 
usual. Of course Roses and some of the other cut flowers suffered from 
the great heat. 
Plants. —Stove and greenhouse plants were well represented ; and 
with a collection of sixteen plants Mr. Letts, gardener to the Earl of 
Zetland, was first with capital plants, which included fine Palms, 
Aphelexis macrantha purpurea, and A. spectabilis, a fine Erica tricolor 
Wilsoni, and a grand Anthurium Schertzerianum Wardi. Mr. Cypher of 
Cheltenham was second, and his group included a grand plant of 
Anthurium Schertzerianum (Shuttleworth’s variety) with quite eighty 
spathes, Erica coccicea minor, fine Crotons, Azaleas, &c. Mr. E. Adams 
of Newcastle-on-Ty l was third. In the class for six stove and green- 
