.334 THE COTTAGE GARDENER AND COUNTRY GENTLEMAN’S COMPANION, February 17,1807. 
or rockwork, being not so particular as many other 
Ferns. But, although it bears exposure as well as any 
of our native species, still greater luxuriance may be 
obtained by placing it in deep, shady places. It is re¬ 
markably well adapted for planting about the shrubbery, 
wilderness, and such-like places, in clumps accompanied 
with masses of rock, stone, &c. This and Lastrcea 
filix mas look extremely well together in such clumps. 
Two parts loam, with one part each of leaf mould and 
peat, will form a suitable compost, with the addition of 
sand and some finely-broken sandstone, broken pots, or 
a little old mortar. This Fern requires potting or plant¬ 
ing rather firmly, a good drainage, and a moderate 
supply of water. It will bear any temperature from 
the severest winter frosts to the temperature of a stove, 
in which it thrives remarkably well. It may be pro¬ 
pagated by division or by seed, in the same way as 
direQted for former species. 
RETARDING AND PROTECTING FRUIT 
BLOSSOMS. 
It is now some years since I first had the pleasure of 
drawing the attention of fruit growers, through the 
medium of The Cottage Gardener and otherwise, to 
the propriety of a thorough recognition of the principles 
of retardation and protection. Without undergoing the 
charge of egotism, I venture to claim the honour of being 
the first to take a stand on such matters as principles. I 
remember, also, the same with regard to root pruning. 
About twenty-eight years since the public was cautioned 
not to be led astray by Mr. Errington’s extravagant 
ideas of root pruning, and now some of our first 
fruitists boldly recommend annual root pruning! How¬ 
ever the protection pi’inciple may be still disputed by 
some, the majority of our best gardeners are un¬ 
questionably in its favour; and as spring comes round 
1 think it well to freshen up the minds of the readers 
of The Cottage Gardener. This widely-circulated 
work has been the meaus, probably, of disseminating j 
more sound, practical views of gardening than any other 
extant; but as good wine needs no bush I will pass on. 
If ever there was a spring when, accordiug to my ! 
notions, retardation was necessary, it is the one we are 
now commencing. After one of the most severe winters 
on record—severe as to its duration, the intensity of 
its cold, and its fluctuations — the bud, should a mild 
period intervene, will be in a most excitable condition, 
and must by all means be kept back. 
If any man doubts the principles of retardation still, 
let him consider what tiie effects would be if the 
blossoms of fruit trees were to expand a month or more 
earlier than they do. That they expand just when they 
do is all very well, but it happens to be so as we must 
record it. However, to pass on, let me advise all about 
to do these things to reconsider the principles, and not 
to lay the faults of their misconceptions on those who 
performed their plans with precision, backed by sound 
evidence. 
In the first place, I advise that coverings be applied 
both for retardation and protection if possible, odd as 
it may appear. The first use of such covers is, of 
course, retardation; and here my advice is, chill the 
trees all you can. As for fuming about the con¬ 
sequences, what nonsense! If a fruit tree iu blossom 
can bear six or eight degrees of frost, and set fruit, 
pray how much shall we not allow a tree with the 
buds just on the move? So let us have no fear about 
cold frosty wiuds starving the stems, and all sucli 
nonsense. It is, doubtless, the fear of the latter which 
has induced people to coddle their trees, and thus they 
have got the retardation and protection principles 
muddled and confounded. To be sure they run into 
each other ; hut what does that prove but that a nicer 
discrimination becomes necessary at the transition point? 
To accomplish the retardation it is but necessary to 
ward off sunshine, and to encourage low temperatures. 
As to jirotection, all I can say is, that attention is oue 
of the chief requisites. As for wisps of straw, boughs, 
&c., they are all very well. People will have cheap 
things; but as well might they expect a donkey to do 
the work of a horse. Some will have an orchard- 
house, thinking it by no means a too expensive luxury ; 
others get fancy framework before their trees, and thus 
go half way; and each and all of them, in explaining 
their views on paper, set forth how very cheaply the thing 
was done; so all these good folks may be said to live in 
Cheapside; but if luxuries must be carried by cheap¬ 
ness they will be few and far between. 
Speaking of protective plans, it may be observed 
that all possible means must be taken not to coddle the 
blossoms. Here, again, the dread of cold winds is by 
far too much encouraged. Blossoms will endure more 
cold winds than is commonly imagined; indeed, I 
question much if such cause damage, unless frosty to 
the amount of four or five degrees. Therefore, under 
what I call a protection system, I would still keep the 
1 blossoms as hardy as possible. Of course all available 
J sunlight should be obtained, especially very early in 
the morning ; on the latter I lay the utmost stress, for, 
whatever covering be used, I would make a point of 
covering the trees soon after three o’clock whenever sun¬ 
shine occurred, iu order to shut in solar heat. 
Here it is that moveable coverings by far excel those 
of a fixed character; indeed, what gardener would 
dream of the latter unless compelled by what is termed 
economy? 
After all, of what use is it to protect blossoms im¬ 
perfect in their formation ? But who will believe that 
theirs are imperfect? Tell any man who begins to 
complain of coverings not securing a crop of fruit that 
his wood was neglected and badly ripened, and the 
chances are that you get a rude reply for your temerity. 
However, I by no means charge gardeners in general 
with wilful neglect. The fact is, there is such a 
pressure in these times on the brains of the gardener, 
through a vast multiplication of objects, and the in¬ 
creased and increasing desires of those who are warm 
in gardening matters, that few can find labour enough 
in the busy season to catch every little thing in its 
turn. But it is certain that since one labourer will do 
but one labourer’s work, if we continue to multiply 
desires we should make the labour question keep pace 
with them, or something will assuredly go to the wall. 
As to the ripening of the wood of tender fruits, l will 
boldly affirm that, with the exception of a few southern 
counties, there is not thirty per cent, of the trees done 
justice to in this respect, whatever people may aver. It 
is not merely the sunlight shining on the general 
exterior of a fruit tree; it must penetrate the gloom, 
and cast its rays on those spurs or buds which should 
constitute the future crop. As I have before urged, 
even the coarse orchard Apple tree, hardier than an 
Oak, is in some degree amenable to those conditions: 
how much more so, then, our Apricots, Peaches, Plums, 
and delicate Pears, which affect warmer and brighter 
skies than our own ! But the thing is almost self- 
evident, and would seem to require little argument—only 
a solid consideration by men of experience. 
R. Errington. 
