1874.] OHELONE BABBATA ANTWBBPENSIS.—GYMNOGBAMMA DECOMPOSITA. 147 
C, repandum are of comparatively large size, being when well grown, larger 
than the largest circle one can draw upon the human hand. Of course it 
will be understood I write of it as seen under good cultivation. I quite 
anticipate the inquiry—Is it really hardy ? Mr. Barr assured me, it could be 
maintained in such a position—maintained of course by a resort to the customary 
simple means of laying a few inches of cocoa-nut refuse over the corms during the 
frosts of winter. All are aware that it is a native of Greece, and though Greece 
is the most southern part of Europe, the thermometer is known to fall below 40'’. 
That we can maintain beneath such trees as are here referred to, and with the 
aid of a mulching of some such open materials as I have named, such a degree of 
ground-heat, there can be no doubt; and once this is admitted, the fact becomes 
patent to all, that Cyclamen repandum may defy our climate thereiq. 
Indeed, upon consideration, I do not see why C. repandum should not be called 
hardy, along with such other South-European species as C. neapolitanum, C. 
vemum^ G. latifolium^ and C. ibericum^ even though we admit that its natural 
home, Greece, extends a degree further south than South Europe does generally. 
Should any one contemplate trying a small patch or bed of this large-leaved 
species upon any bare patch of herbless ground, or otherwise, under any evergreen 
trees, it were perhaps hardly needful to dwell upon the necessary preparation 
of a limited space for their reception. It would be requisite to excavate a border 
purposely for them; a layer of cocoa-nut refuse or decomposed leaves should be 
placed at the bottom, and upon this should be added a good rich compost, formed 
of fibrous loam, peat, cow-dung, soot, and well-rotted leaf-mould. The cow-dung, 
too, should be thoroughly decomposed, the soot moderate in quantity only, and 
the leaf-mould in abundance. Press the compost firmly before planting, and 
water freely during dry summer weather.— ^William Eably, Valentines. 
CHELONE BARBATA ANTWERPENSIS. 
’HIS fine old herbaceous plant is now seldom or never seen, but it is one that 
would give satisfaction everywhere. It is a summer-flowering plant of 
long duration, and has fine handsome spikes of scarlet flowers, which are 
produced in abundance in a good heavy soil. The plant requires dividing 
and replanting every other year in fresh soil, like most other hardy plants.— 
H. Knight, Floors. 
GYMNOGRAMMA DECOMPOSITA. 
IS a garden plant, this new golden fern will take the position of a companion 
to the silvery G. pulchella.^ the size, fine cutting, and triangular outline of 
the fronds, producing a certain amount of similarity, though botanically 
the two are , perfectly distinct. It was introduced from the Andes of 
South America, by John Gair, Esq., of Falkirk, by whom it was sent to Kew, 
and from thence it has been distributed. We are indebted to Mr. Bull for the 
use of the annexed illustration. 
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