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G2 
THE CULTIVATION OF MOSSES, 
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amphitheatre, above which, as in the garden before described, the trees of the surrounding shrubberies, 
appear softening the rigid outline of the cropped trees, and forming a soft and irregular li sky-line,” 
which would gracefully complete the composition. It will be seen by the above remarks that, in re¬ 
sorting to the abandoned custom of reducing foliage to arbitrary forms, only the most severe and 
simple are advocated, and even then only in well considered situations, where the contrast, or the har¬ 
mony of forms, would be artistically aided by such means. 
THE CULTIVATION OF MOSSES. 
By Mb. G-. LAWSON, F.B.S., Assistant Cvbatob to the Botanical Society of Edinburgh. 
RECENTLY (see vol. i., p. 210) we directed the attention of horticulturists to the interesting and 
AI numerous tribe of Mosses, which, although long admired for their beauty in their native homes, 
have only recently been introduced to garden culture. V ith the view of aiding those desirous of 
cultivating these tiny plants, we gave such general hints as occurred to us regarding their habits, and 
the modes of treatment likely to prove most successful; and, on the present occasion, we proceed to re¬ 
deem our promise to enter more minutely into the history of the various species adapted for cultivation, 
as well as to consider the particular conditions of soil, exposure, &c., requisite for their successful 
development. 
And, first, of the genus Polytrichum. P. undulatum, which occurs in considerable abundance in 
the woods, and indeed in all moist shady situations, is a species well fitted for the Moss-garden, provided 
it can always be kept in an atmosphere loaded with moisture. Its large lanceolate undulated leaves are 
peculiarly susceptible to atmospheric influences; in moist weather they are spread out, and give the plant 
a beautiful appearance ; but immediately that a drying wind meets them in its wav, they are curled 
up, and have lost all their beauty. The large cylindrical curved capsules are produced abundantly 
throughout the winter and early spring. The plants should be removed in tufts from their woodland 
home in the autumn, preserving a good ball of earth around each tuft. The soil used in potting should 
be of a retentive character, little or no drainage being given, and plenty of water afforded at all times 
excepting in the summer season, when file plants will be in a more dormant condition. Drying winds 
should be carefully guarded against. P. urnigerum is also a neat plant for pot culture, and, although it 
does not require so moist an atmosphere as the preceeding, it should be well supplied with moisture at 
the roots. Peat may be freely used in potting this species. P. aljrinwn may receive similar treatment. 
P. commune is a very common Moss, especially in the north, growing abundantly on heaths, and in the 
woods; but from the circumstance of its growing in broad patches of considerable extent, it is a difficult 
matter to get a convenient portion separated from the mass in a state fit for growing: ice never could 
manage it.* 
The Extinguisher Mosses (Excalypta) are such beautiful little things that they tempt us to bestow 
upon them a little more trouble than usual, although they are by no means especially recommendable to 
the gardener’s attention. The common species (P. vulgaris ) being annual, must be sought for yearly 
during the winter season on some neighbouring wall or bare earthy bank, and potted in any sort of 
soil, the plants being removed with a lump of the earth on which they grow. They will produce their 
capsules, each covered with its curious extinguisher-like calyptra, early in the spring ; and although the 
plant altogether is exceedingly small (in stature scarcely an inch), it has notwithstanding, so curious 
and attractive an appearance, as at once to arrest the eye of the passerby, whether he be museologist or 
not. P. ciliatci is even more beautiful, and being perennial is more convenient in the cultivator’s hands. 
It is, however, more rare, being chiefly confined to the lofty mountains, and thus it is beyond the reach 
of many. It may readily be distinguished from P. vulgaris by the delicate calyptra being beautifully 
fringed or toothed at the base, that of the common species being quite entire. The rare P. streptocarpa , 
® Speaking of the Pohjtrichum commune, old Lightfoot says :—“Of the female sort the Laplanders, ■when obliged to sleep in 
desert places, frequently make a speedy and convenient bed. Their manner of doing it is curious : Where this Moss grows thick 
together, they mark out, with their knife, a piece of ground, about two yards square, or of the size of a common blanket; then, be¬ 
ginning at one comer, they gently sever the turf from the ground, and, as the roots of the moss are closely interwoven and matted 
together, they, by degrees, strip off the whole circumscribed turf in one entire piece; afterwards, they mark and draw up another 
piece, exactly corresponding with the first, then, shaking them both with their hands, they lay one upon the ground, with the moss 
uppermost, instead of a mattress, and the other oyer it, with the moss downwards, instead of a rug; and between them both take a 
comfortable nap, free from fleas and bugs, and without fear of contagious distempers. It is probable they might take the hint of making 
such a bed from the hear, a cohabitant of their country, which prepares his winter quarters with a large collection of this same moss.” 
Might not the wandering botanist frequently enjoy a slumber between two cushions of Polytriehum, instead of wandering manv a 
weary mile for the sorry shelter of a miserable shieling , or stretching himself beneath the less comfortable protection of a Birch or 
trembling Poplar ? 
