78 
THE FLORIST. 
NotJiochlcena Eckloniana. —A charming little Fern, very suitable for 
small bouquets. These, like the Cheilantlies, do not like water on the 
fronds. 
NotJiochlcena maranta. —A pretty variety, 10 inches or so in height. 
Onycldum auritum. —An elegant Fern, 12 inches or more high; 
very useful for bouquets. 
Onycliium lucidum, a useful hardy Fern, which grows 12 inches high. 
Eteris scaherida. —One of the most elegant of all small Ferns, 
growing about 10 inches high. 
Pteris serridata. —A common Fern, very useful for bouquets; it 
grows 10 inches in height. 
B. S. Williams. 
Paradise Nursery, Hornsey. 
THE CHIRONIA. 
Some of the species of this genus, as grandiflora, glutinosa, and decus- 
sata, form excellent subjects for the decoration of the greenhouse during 
the summer and autumn months, when the greater number of such 
structures are not overfilled with handsome plants. All the sorts are 
easily induced to form compact, large-sized specimens ; and when well 
managed, they become literally covered with bright-coloured flowers, 
which keep gay for months together. 
Young plants will be foundjo form the finest specimens, and there¬ 
fore a good stock of them should be kept up by annual propagation. 
• For cuttings, select strong, short-jointed, rather firm bits of young wood, 
as early in the season as they can be obtained. Plant in light, sandy 
soil, under the protection of a bell-glass, and plunge the pot in a mild 
bottom heat. As soon as the cuttings make a little growth, they will 
be sufficiently rooted to bear potting singly in 4-inch pots. After potting, 
place them in a rather warm, moist situation, till they have become 
established in their pots. After this, the best situation during the 
remainder of the growing season will be a pit which can be kept suffi¬ 
ciently close and moist to promote rapid growth, and where light and 
air can be afforded to prevent the production of weakly shoots. Shift 
into larger pots as may be necessary, and keep the plants regularly 
pinched back, and pegged down, or tied out, so as to secure a compact 
bushy habit; and maintain a moist atmosphere till about the middle 
of September, when they should be prepared for winter by full expo¬ 
sure to sunshine, and a free circulation of air on every favourable occa¬ 
sion. When the weather becomes cold and damp remove the young 
specimens to an airy situation near the glass in the greenhouse. Give 
no more water to the soil during winter than may be required to 
maintain it in a healthy condition, and admit air freely during mild 
days, but avoid cold drying currents. By propagating early, keeping 
the plants growing as rapidly as possible till late in autumn, and 
starting them into growth early the following spring, they will form nice 
moderate sized specimens for flowering late in summer and autumn; 
