£22 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 
December 19. 
or seed-vessels, presenting varied appearances as they 
devclopo themselves. 
A. crispus (Curled).—This pretty Fern is found 
plentifully on the blue slate rocky hills of Wales and 
Cumberland. Jt has two kinds of fronds, one barren 
and the other seed-bearing, or fertile. Barren fronds 
twice divided, or bipinnate ; pinnae often divided again, 
and twice-cut at the edges, giving the plant a parsley¬ 
like appearance. From this circumstance, collectors 
often call it the Parsley Fern. Fertile fronds are also 
j bipinnate, and even tripinnate at the lower part of the 
i frond; leaves contracted on one side. The plant is very 
I dwarf, seldom reaching six inches high. It forms a 
pretty, neat, evergreen patch, and should always be 
planted amongst small stones, considerably elevated. 
Increased readily by dividing the creeping rhizoma. 
ASPLENIUM. 
A selenium marinum (Sea-Fern).—So named, because 
it is found in the clefts of rocks on the sea-shores of 
Britain. I described this as a greenhouse Fern; but 
where the cultivator resides near the sea it may be 
j cultivated in the open-air. 
A. adiantum nigrum (Black-Adiantum). — A neat, 
dwarf Fern, native of Britain. I found it, very lately, 
i growing plentifully on a hedge-bank, in the parish of 
: Chalfont, Bucks ; the first time I ever saw it wild. 
Fronds ti iangular-formed, and variously divided ; when 
i the fronds aro in fructification the seed-vessels (nearly 
black) cover the under sides of the pinnae. Very hardy, 
but requires a dry situation, rather shaded. Increased 
readily by off-sets that form themselves round the tufted 
rhizoma. 
A. alternifolium (Alternate-leaved) —An elegant 
little Fern, found on the Scottish mountains, and also 
in Germany, France, Sweden, and Switzerland. Fronds 
pinnated alternately, growing only three or four inches 
high, in a compact patch ; jiinua) lance-shaped. In¬ 
creased by division. 
A. mux fcemina (Female-Fern)—So named because 
of its lady-like appearance. There is no Fern that 
surpasses this in its elegant, feathery habit. Native of 
Britain, growing on hedge-banks in shady lanes; it is 
also found in every quarter of the globe. Fronds two 
feet high, bipinnate, broad lance - shaped, and of a 
beautiful light green ; pinna) narrow, and thickly-placed 
on the stem—the lowest one the largest in size; stems 
scaly; seed-vessels kidney-shaped. Increased slowly, 
by division. 
There are several permanent varieties of this beautiful 
Fern. One is particularly handsome, and has been 
! named Multijidum (many-times-cut); that is, the leaves 
at the end of tlio fronds are finely divided, or tasselled. 
This was discovered in Ireland, by Mr. D. Moore, of the 
Glasnevin Gardens. 
Another variety is sometimes named Crispum, and 
also Smithii. It was also found in Ireland, by Mr. 
i Andrew Smith, gardener at the Holme, in the Regent’s 
| Park, a very successful cultivator of hardy Ferns, even 
| in that locality. 
A third variety has been named ramosvm ; the leaves 
| branching out, flat-shaped, not particularly handsome; 
I but very curious. Found in Ireland, by Dr. Mackay; 
: the intelligent curator of the Trinity College Gardens, 
! Dublin. 
! A. fontanum (Fountain).—A British Fern, of a neat, 
dwarf, compact habit. Fronds long and narrow, lance¬ 
shaped, and twice-cut, growing six inches long. I have 
had plants of this pretty Fern nearly a foot across. 
Should be grown in moist, shady places. Increased 
readily by division when tho plant is largo enough. 
This is really a desirable Fern, and no collection.ought 
to be without it. 
A. lanceolatum (Lance-shaped). — Another elegant 
British Fern, something like the A. fontanum , but tho 
pinnoe are placed much moro distant from each other, 
and tho fronds grow taller, often attaining a foot in 
length, and tho leaves are moro deeply notched, or 
toothed. Decidedly a rock Fern. Increased by division. 
A. Michadxia (Michaux’s).-—A North American Fern; 
but perfectly hardy. It loses its leaves in winter, being 
what is termed deciduous. It is a tall-growing Fern, 
reaching two, to two and a half feet high. The whole 
frond forming a broad, lance-like, shape, and many 
times divided ; pinna) flat, and widely apart, and deeply 
cut at tho edges. Increases readily by dividing the 
creeping rhizoma. I may as well just mention here, that 
all hardy Ferns that will increase by divisions should 
have that operation performed just before they begin to 
grow. If divided after the fronds have made some 
progress, tho young fronds are almost sure to perish. 
A. ruxa muraria (’Wall-Rue).— In some parts of 
England, this pretty Fern clothes old walls with its 
dark green tufts of fronds. Fronds bipinnate, only a 
few inches high ; pinnae roundish, something like the 
leaves of Rue; hence its specific name. To grow this 
pretty Fern well, mix some old lime amongst the soil, 
and plant it on tho top of a pyramid of small stones, or 
broken bricks, or place it in the crevices of rock-woik. 
Increases readily by division. 
A. septentrionale (Northern).—This very neat Fern 
formerly grew plentifully in the crevices of the rocks, on 
the mountain named Arthur’s Seat, near Edinburgh ; 
but ruthless collectors have nearly stripped that locality. 
The last time I was in Scotland, I climbed to the top of 
that mountain, but could not find a single plant. 
Fronds bipartite, or twice-parted, three-toothed at tho 
extremity. Seed-vessels long, covering the entire under¬ 
surface of tho leaves. 
This truly elegant little Fern should be planted in 
pure loam, and placed on tho highest point of tho rock- 
work. A plant or two should always be kept in pots, 
under a cold frame, as it is apt to dio for want of its 
pure native mountain air. T. Appleby. 
(To be continued.) 
FORCED YOUNG POTATOES. 
In my last, I described, at some length, the mode by 
which Potatoes are had, during the winter months, in a 
condition that resembles new or young ones. I now 
endeavour to explain tho mode in which young ones 
ale in reality obtained, which is, in itself, simple 
enough ; and the season having arrived for commencing 
operations that way, the subject is appropriate enough ; 
and, as has been before observed, young Potatoes arc 
generally more esteemed than retarded ones. Some 
attention is required to obtaiu these early, and there 
are few people but who will admit they are worthy of 
the effort. 
In tho first place, young Potatoes, like other early 
products, can only bo obtained by having recourse to 
artificial heat in some shape or other. A remarkably 
early kind of Potato will produce tubers fit for table 
soveral days before a late kind will do so, when both are 
treated alike out-of-doors; but wo want them some weeks 
before the earliest out-door ones come in, and these only 
can bo had by having recourse to artificial heat; tho very 
earliest requiring it to have been long continued; while j 
the second or succeeding crops, intervening between the i 
earliest and tho open ground produce, will not need it : 
so much; and a very homely way of covering up will 
materially assist a portion iu coming into use before the \ 
open-air crop. 
As most people aim at obtaining them as early as j 
possible, it will be best to begin with that first; and, iu ; 
so doing, I disclaim all idea of introducing anything 
