306 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER AND COUNTRY GENTLEMAN, Atiaus* 23. 1869. 
hushes and BVcii high trees by means of the sharp hooks so 
JM'eiiUftliiy produced on all parts of the plant. It is very tough, 
and not easily broken. Travellers assert that it materially assists 
to make the jungles almost impassable; nod that, in habit at 
least, it is more like a bramble I h ah a Fern. , It is a strong 
growth’, and under cultivation requires plenty of pot-room. 
tl-YJtisroQBAMJtA teIeoliata. Desv. Fronds erect, fasciculate, 
three to four feet high, leafy to the base; simply pinnate in a 
■Noting state, but in its normal form the pinna are ternate, and 
ridiVrly of the same size (two to three niches long), the whole 
Itugth of the frond. Pinnules linear, obtuse, minutely serrated; 
veins forking; venules free, bearing sporangia on their whole 
length in the upper part of the frond. Stipes purplish-brown, 
■shining. 
A native of the West Indies and tropical parts of America, 
where it is found growing on the banks of rivers- It is a very 
distinct plant: its tall erect fronds, which are much less divided 
than in any other species, make it very different to all the other 
Gytnnogrammas in our gardens. The plants I have seen in 
cultivation are quite green on the under side of the fronds ; but 
native specimens are covered below with a white waxy farina. 
When the pot is full of roots the plant is benefited by standing 
in a pan of water during the summer months. 
Miceolepia NovyE-Zelandle. J. Sm. (Synonvme— Davallia 
Nova-Zelandice, Col.) Rhizome creeping, somewhat slender, 
covered with black hairs. Fronds eight to ten inches long, ovate, 
acuminate, tri-pinnate, rather rigid. Ultimate pinnules ovate- 
lanceolate, acute ; veins pinnate ; venules free. Sort produced on 
the apex of the lower venules, covered with an early orbicular 
Indus mm, which is attached by its lower side. Stipes about six 
or eight inches long, brown, shining; the lower part covered 
with dark-brown jointed hairs. 
Most of the Microlepias are large coarse-growing plants, unfit 
for cultivation where tlie space is limited ; but this species is an 
exception. It forms a pretty little tuft of dark green fronds, 
lighter on the lower side, not more than eighteen inches above 
the pot in which it is grown. It is a native of New Zealand, 
growing in the rocky ravines of the northern island ; and may, 
therefore, bo successfully cultivated in a cool greenhouse. It 
does not grow freely from spores, but may easily be increased by 
dividing the creeping rhizomes : this operation always succeeds 
best in spring.—K abl. 
SUNFLOWER CULTURE. 
In your review of “ New Books ” (page 262), I was pleased to 
see quoted, as a profitable plant, the Sun (lower (Helianthus 
annua), one of the noblest and gayest annuals for shrubbery 
decoration. My experience with this plant warrants the testi¬ 
mony I add, relative to its merits, as a profitable plant for the 
farm. 
A few years ago I wa3 engaged in the West of England to 
plant an orchard, comprising some sixteen acres, with all the 
leading varieties of Apples. Prior to planting, the ground had 
been trenched, what in garden phrase is termed “ two spit and 
crumb.” The second year after planting a heap of fresh dung, 
taken from the farmyard the first week in April, was thrown 
together in a corner, on the top of which was laid some light soil 
about six inches thick : this was drilled and Sunflower seeds sown. 
In a few clays they vegetated, and the seedlings were ready for 
transplantation the second week in May. Three rows were then 
planted between each row of Apple trees, the latter operation 
being performed with a common dibble, and in dull, cloudy 
weather. In about a fortnight after the hoe was drawn deeply 
through the rows ; and at the first indication of flower the centre 
bloom was cut out, which caused a greater equality in the dis¬ 
tribution of the sap, and in the considerable augmentation of 
weight in the lateral heads. This process, likewise, greatly 
diminished the tendency to generate and organise those large 
gross leaves peculiar to this plant, and in the maintenance of 
which so much organisable matter is required, as following the 
results of that eminent physiologist and experimentalist, Hales, 
whose researches have led us to believe that the perspiratory 
powers of the Sunflower exceed that of man seventeen times. This 
knowledge, then, is valuable to the cultivator of the especial 
plant, as he must concentrate all his attention to the good supply 
of organisable matter while the plant is in a growing state. Also 
to diminish all tendency to luxuriance in leaf while the buds are 
preparing for expansion. 
With this plant the karVest sea&oli falls lire laitei* jiai l Bf 1 Vtbjtet 
or beginning of November, when the stems are cut off below ihc 
heads, and carted to the barn. During winter the heads are 
thrashed for cattle feeding ; but for fowls the heads are thrown to 
them as gathered. Of a surety no fowls will leave a single seed 
in the head, it being of all food the most congenial to their taste. 
Hogs thrived and fattened, when fed with it twice a-day, in an 
incredibly short time; while on stall-fed oxen it produced a state 
of fatness in an amazingly short period. 
I cannot, however, boast of reaping the enormous crop of from 
seventy to an hundred bushels expressed by the Yankee author. 
My crop averaged only from forty to forty-five bushels. The 
soil was a strong, rich, tenacious loam, resting on a subsoil of- 
alluvial clay. Nor must I make the same omission as your 
clerical author. He does not state in detail the difficulties ex¬ 
perienced in the harvesting of this useful viand. From its late¬ 
ness of ripening much difficulty is experienced in seeming the 
crop sufficiently dry, to prevent, when housed, the attack of 
mildew (Cladiosponun), which if allowed to luxuriate soon either 
destroys the seed or alters the chemical properties. — J. E- 
Tantojt, Gardener to H. O. Nethercote, Fsq., /■’. 11. St 
MENDENHALL’S DIBBLES. 
We welcome any improvement in horticultural tools and im¬ 
plements. The one we now give a representation of we have 
received from Mr. G. Mendenhall, of Sylvan Height Nursery, 
Richmond, Indiana, and find it to be, on trial, one of the most 
useful implements we have for a long time handled. Almost the 
only dibbles in use are broken or worn-out spade-handles ; and 
every one knows what a labour it is to force these clumsy articles 
into anything but the very lightest kinds of soil. Mendenhall’s 
Dibble “ goes in of its own accord.” Instead of being round it 
is nearly flat, the blade representing rather a mammoth screw¬ 
driver. The annexed cut, which we have had made from the one 
sent us, will give the idea. 
Mr. Mendenhall informs us that they can be made for about 
one dollar, though the specimen sent for our inspection, being 
highly finished, cost more. Mr. Mendenhall deserves the thanks 
of all our readers for bringing so very useful, and yet so simple, an 
invention before their notice.— (American Gardener s Monthly). 
NOTES ON NEW OR RARE PLANTS. 
Viegilia Capensis. Dec. Nat. ord., Legwninosce. Native 
of the Cape of Good Hope.—A robust greenhouse evergreen 
shrub, reaching to the height of eight or nine feet, and branch¬ 
ing numerously, but laxly. Branches, while young, somewhat 
tomentose. Leaves pinnate, based by a pair of subulate deciduous 
stipules. Leaflets numerous, linear-lanceolate, slightly falcate and 
mucronate, nearly glabrous above, but clothed below with close- 
lying silvery hairs. Inflorescence in axillary racemes, on long 
peduncles. Calyx two-lipped ; lips deeply cut, very much reflexed, 
and becoming membraneous in age. Standard large, orbicular, 
reflexed, pale rose. Wings large, opening wide, rose. Keel 
short, much curved, greenish-white, and partially united. Stamens 
in two bundles, included within the keel. Pistil short. Pod much 
curved, hairy while young. 
This is one of an excellent class of greenhouse plants, all of 
which are admirably suited for decorating the conservatory. The 
present species blooms in July and August most profusely. It 
requires plenty of room, as it is naturally a spreading plant; 
but the knife should be freely used to improve its habit. Good 
fibrous loam about two parts, and peat one part, with a free 
admixture of sand, are an excellent compost for it. Cuttings of 
the partially-liard twiggy side-shoots root moderately freely. 
Seeds are ripened in abundance. 
Haemogia VIEGATA. Shatter. Nat. ord., Myrtacea. Native 
of New South Wales.—An erect, evergreen, greonhouse shrub, 
