1868 . ] 
SEASONABLE GARDENING HINTS-JULY. 
151 
The accompanying figure lias been obligingly lent us by Mr. Williams 
who gives the following account of the plant in his excellent book, entitled 
“ Select Ferns,’’ to which we have already alluded :—“ This is an elegant 
and interesting little plant, making, as its name implies, little fan-like 
fronds, which grow only a few inches high. I know of only one other 
plant anything like it, and that is Actiniopteris radiata, which has an erect 
caudex, and has even a more fan-shaped frond than the Rhipidopteris. The 
latter succeeds well grown in good fibrous peat and sand, a little raised 
above the rim of the pot, and requires a liberal supply of water all the 
year round; it does not require a deep pot, as it creeps on the top of the 
soil; a pan will be the best to grow it in. 
“ R. peltata .—A very elegant little stove Fern, producing, from a slender 
creeping rhizome, sterile fronds from 3 to 6 inches high, several times 
dichotomously divided, and presenting the appearance of a miniature Fan 
Palm; the fertile fronds are sub-rotund, and, like most of the Acrosticliese, 
the under side is entirely covered with the sori. An evergreen species, 
from the West Indies.” 
SEASONABLE GARDENING HINTS—JULY. 
’HE hot dry weather and bright sunshine we have had during the past 
spring for so long a period, have been very favourable to gardening 
operations, more particularly the early forcing of fruits, as less fire 
heat was required, and more air could be given than is usual in an 
average of seasons—both matters of great importance. 
The young stock of plants in pits and frames should now have every 
attention; they should be shaded in bright sunshine, and have plenty of 
air; they should be watered in the afternoons, and have a gentle sprinkling 
overhead from a fine rose or syringe. Towards the end of the month the 
lights may be taken off on mild calm nights. 
The plants should be kept near the glass, be turned round occasionally, 
and shifted when they require it. The stopping, thinning, and tying-out 
of the shoots should be well attended to. Pelargoniums for autumn flower¬ 
ing should be encouraged to grow, by shifting them when they want it; but 
large shifts should be avoided, as they flower better when not overpotted. 
All hard-wooded greenhouse plants placed out of doors, should have the pots 
plunged in some material to protect the tender roots from the ill effects of 
a hot dry atmosphere. 
The weather in May was so mild and favourable for planting, that many 
persons got their “bedding” plants out earlier than usual. I got all 
finished here by the 25tli of that month, and I was fortunate in doing so, as 
we had some fine heavy rains at the time, which set the plants growing, 
and I have not had need for much watering since. Those who did not get 
