102 
October, 16, 1886. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
six or eight in a clump, so as to produce a good effect, 
first well digging and manuring the ground, and finally 
place some sharp grit, such as road-sweepings, about 
the bulbs, allowing the latter to be some 5 ins. or 6 ins. 
below the surface. I may remark, ere closing, that 
deep digging is very essential to this Lily, and if it be 
expected to allow them to remain for years, they will 
be better at 8 ins. deep ; and after covering in the 
bulbs, place a light dressing of well-rotted manure 
3 ins. above the bulbs, so that the multitude of stem- 
roots which aie annually formed may be benefited, and 
which may with advantage be renewed' eveiy second 
year. — J. 
-- 
ROSES OP THE SEASON. 
Some time since we promised a few notes respecting 
the Roses which had been most conspicuous at exhibi¬ 
tions this season, or that had succeeded best in gardens, 
and as the time for planting has now arrived, it will be 
a fitting opportunity to bring the matter before our 
readers ; not that any excuse is necessary for a little 
gossip about Eoses, for that is always agreeable to 
many persons, but just now attention will be specially 
turned to the selection of varieties, and this will render 
a few jottings doubly acceptable to amateurs, who may 
not, perhaps, have had the chance of visiting many 
shows or inspecting many collections. 
The late spring, the cold and wet weather experienced 
in most districts when the Eoses should have been far 
advanced towards their flowering period, retarded them 
greatly, and at one time the prospect was particularly 
gloomy. Happily, a change came before it was too 
ate, and though the earliest exhibitions were not so 
successful as might have been desired, ample amends 
were made for all the deficiencies before the season 
closed. A period of hot weather brought the Teas out 
in strong force and excellent condition, and though, 
perhaps, amongst the hybrid perpetuals there were not 
so many giant blooms, yet in colour and freshness the 
average quaff ty was highly satisfactory. Much com¬ 
pensation for early defects has also been derived from 
the long continuance of the supply, for very seldom do 
we have Eose blooms so abundant late in the season as 
has been the case this year. Even now, in the middle 
of October, we are stEl cutting buds and blooms in 
plenty out of doors, not, of course, so fine as we had a 
month ago, but they seem all the more welcome 
because other flowers are getting scarce, and because 
we know that they cannot last much longer. 
Beferring to the exhibition Eoses first, we will take 
a dozen of the leading hybrid perpetuals in alphabetical 
order, and this brings A. K. Williams to the front, a 
position to which it is well entitled on its own merits. 
It has been well shown this year, and it is quite evident 
that those who found it shy and unsatisfactory at first 
are overcoming the difficulties of its culture ; while its 
superbly-coloured blooms, v 7 hen in their best condition, 
are as near perfection as can be imagined. It is now 
nearly ten years old, and it is quite time that it should 
be understood ; but the variety still displays some 
curious freaks occasionally. Eor example, we have two 
plants on the same stocks, and in the same bed, with 
no visible difference between them, except that one 
grows strongly and flowers well, while the other makes 
a weakly growth, and only produces poor blooms. Of 
course, it is quite probable that some constitutional 
difference in the stock has caused this, and that is the 
only way in which we can account for the comparative 
faEure in the one case. Several other plants have been 
excellent this season, and we have had the best blooms 
of A. K. "Williams that we have yet obtained. 
In Camille Bernardin, Captain Christy, and Charles 
Lefebvre, we have a trio of capital exhibition Eoses 
that have figured prominently in the winning stands 
this year. They are all well-tried varieties that have 
taken their places in many coBections, the first-named 
being especially valued for its fragrance, and the other 
two, when in their proper condition, add considerable 
weight to any box of H.P.’s. 
Fran$oi3 Michelon keeps its place in the favour of 
exhibitors, and has been represented in good character 
at the 1886 shows. Substantial blooms are obtained 
without much difficulty, and, as one of the darkest 
of the light Eoses, it is a capital variety. The next 
on our list is a capital variety, one of those that 
Mr. Bennett, of Shepperton, has given to the Bose- 
growing world, namely, Lady Mary Fitzwilliam, which 
is now ranked amongst the H.P.’s, although still 
catalogued as a Tea. Few who saw the box of mag¬ 
nificent blooms, shown by Mr. Bennett at the Rational 
Eose Society’s Exhibition, at South Kensington, this 
year, could fail to be struck.with its beauty. Its merits 
have, however, been discovered for several seasons, or 
we should not find it in so many stands as is 
now the case, and it is surprising to find a Rose in four 
years taking its place amongst the best of exhibition 
varieties. Following this, comes our old favourite, 
La France, which combines qualities possessed by few 
varieties ; it is of vigorous habit, a most free and con¬ 
tinuous flowerer, a delicate colour and exquisitely 
fragrant. For exhibition it is useful, and in the garden 
it is invaluable, whether in pots or out of doors, and it 
amply deserves to be, as it is, the most numerously 
represented in collections. Another light-coloured 
Eose of first-rate quality, is Madame Gabriel Luizet, 
which has come out well this season ; its charming 
fragrance not being the least of its attractions. Marie 
Baumann as a richly coloured variety, has been in 
capital form ; Le Havre, a fine dark vermilion variety ; 
Duke of Edinburgh, dark scarlet ; and Xavier Olibo, 
extremely dark, have been represented in good con¬ 
dition, and complete the dozen of the best H.P.’s. 
Another dozen of fine varieties are the following: Horace 
Yernet, Marie Rady, Mons. Roman, Merveille de Lyon, 
which, although only sent out in'1882, is gradually 
gaining favour, and as a white Rose has a good effect 
in a stand of blooms ; Beauty of Waltham, Marguerite 
de St. Amand, Yiolette Bouyer, which, though not so 
numerously shown as some of the others named, has 
yet been seen in excellent condition, and is destined to 
take a high place amongst exhibition Roses ; Marie 
Finger, Abel Carriere, Alfred Colomb, Etienne Levet 
and Heinrich Schultheis, may be added to complete 
the second dozen, and the last named, although a recent 
introduction, possesses qualities that will commend it 
to Rose growers. 
As already remarked, the Teas have been exhibited 
in strong force this year, and they have formed very 
powerful additions to the beauties of the shows. A 
warm, not too damp, season suits these varieties to 
perfection, and .very rarely have they been seen in 
better form. Of the true Tea varieties, the following 
dozen have proved very satisfactory, and can be recom¬ 
mended :—Anna Olivier, Catherine Mermet, Corntesse 
de Radaillac, Etoile de Lyon, Innocente Pirola, Jean 
Ducher, La Boule d’Or, Madame Cusin, Riphetos, 
Marie Yan Houtte, Souvenir d’un Ami and Souvenir 
de Paul Heron. Beyond these might be named Rubens, 
Madame Willermoz, Madame H. Jamain, Madame 
Bravy and Perle des Jardins, which have been well 
shown ; while the invaluable Roisette, Marechal Riel, 
it need scarcely be said, has again amply proved its 
merits. 
A review of the new varieties that have made their 
mark during the year will be found in another 
column ; but the list is not a long one, for novelties 
of sterling merit among Roses do not come in over¬ 
whelming numbers. 
-- 
AN EVENING WITH FERNS. 
(Continued from p. 90). 
Om houses, devoted to stove Ferns should be such, 
that though a good share of light is at command, 
it is an easy task to shade the plants with roller blinds. 
I consider shading thus applied much better than per¬ 
manently covering the glass with paint, whitewash, 
summer-cloud, or a mixture of one’s own choosing. 
Under such continuous shade many forms will grow 
rapidly, and push up fronds in clusters or singly in 
rapid succession ; but the growth thus formed is not at 
all enduring. The absence of clear light prevents the 
fronds from becoming as sound and mature as is desired, 
and fronds taken from such plants for using with cut 
flowers will rapidly shrivel, to the annoyance of the 
cultivator and spoiling of the effect in the otherwise 
interesting display. The form of house it is desirable we 
should set apart for the culture of Ferns is, perhaps, of 
less importance than for any other class of plants. 
All flowering plants need at certain seasons some clear 
sunlight, as much for the maturing of growth already 
formed as for the perfection of the buds and blooms as 
they gradually develop. In fact, so accommodating are 
the great majority of the species of Ferns, that a house 
where almost all kinds of plants have hitherto failed 
to give satisfaction, is often just the place where the 
plants we have under our consideration will luxuriate the 
most readily. Moisture, too, must he always present ; 
and that this may be continuous and plentiful, the side 
and centre stages should be covered with a moisture- 
retaining material, so that thorough drainage may be 
given to the plants, and also the humidity so essential 
to their well-being. The temperature needed for a house 
set apart for stove Ferns should be about as follows :— 
Commencing with the month of March — during 
which season the majority of Ferns needing it 
may he potted—the day reading should be about 
60’, rising just a Ettle if the sun shines brightly; 
the night temperature 50’ to 55°, according to the 
state of the outside atmosphere — mild or frosty. 
During the spring months, when growth will be rapid, 
56° to 60° should be given at night, and from 65 to° 70° 
in the day. By this time the shading wiR be often 
called into requisition, and if this is used ere the tem¬ 
perature has risen very much, but little air will be 
required. 
Yentilation must be resorted to as the tempera¬ 
ture increases ; but it should be equally spread over 
the whole of the house, so that in no part is there a 
rapid rush of cool air upon the tender-growing fronds; 
for if the fronds are thus acted upon by rapid changes 
of temperature the outer edges of the pinnse will quickly 
turn brown and shrivel, to the complete disfigurement 
of the fronds, and, of course, a corresponding loss of 
beauty to the plant. During the summer, efforts must 
be made to prevent the Fernery getting too hot through 
sun-heat. At this period the fire may be entirely dis¬ 
pensed with. The months of June, July and August 
are almost always hot enough to permit this change to 
take place. In the autumn, the temperatures may- be 
gradually lowered, so that by December the day reading 
will be about 60°, and the night temperature 50°. If 
intensely cold weather should prevail during the 
winter, lower readings woulcj be better, and a continuous 
run of days and nights when much fire-heat is given, is 
almost certain to cause black fungus to appear among 
the plants; perhaps attacking such as Blechnums, 
Lomarias, and several of the Pteris. The soil required 
for potting Ferns is, as a rule, very simple—peat, loam, 
and silver sand, and some potsherds broken small, or 
some small charcoal, or even a dash of cinders scattered 
in with the mixture is suitable for most species. Still 
there are not a few that will succeed admirably in a 
mixture of loam, leaf-soil, with sand and one or other 
of the loose materials just mentioned, worked in with 
the compost. Clean pots must always be used in pot¬ 
ting, which should be liberally crocked to ensure good 
drainage. "When the potting is done carefully, water 
the plants with a rose can. AVhen the first watering 
has passed away water again, to give the whole a 
thorough soaking, and do not water for a day or two, 
until the soil plainly indicates a healthy state of 
dryness. Syringing may be given morning and even¬ 
ing, taking care, however, that the Adiantnms do not 
get an unduly heavy share of water on their fronds. 
If the Adiantums can be grown in one part of the 
house they are better under command in this matter, 
and it is found that these lovely maidenhair forms will 
succeed admirably without any moisture overhead. It 
is very probable that some of the small plants will 
require potting a second time during the season. "When 
that is the case do not delay the operation beyond 
August; they will then have ample time to fill the pots 
before the dull days of winter come upon us. 
It is scarcely in my province to enumerate the forms 
and species that should be cultivated in our houses ; 
but this much I would say, if you have room, and your 
patrons are particularly fond of this class of plants 
endeavour to get as many sorts as possible. If, 
however, cut flowers are much in demand, and a 
correspondingly plentiful supply of Fern fronds, then 
by all means grow a larger quantity of those varieties 
that are most useful for this purpose. Here I mention 
Adiantum cuneatum, tenerum pubescens and Capillus- 
veneris magnificum ; Pteris gracillimum, senulata, 
Davallia dissecta, Replirolepis in variety, Blechnum 
orientale, Onychium japonicum, and others whose 
fronds are of a lasting character when severed from the 
plant. In speaking of greenhouse Ferns, there are 
large numbers that are now found to succeed much 
better without fire-heat, except during the winter 
months. Among this class I would place almost 
all the Dicksonias, Cyatheas, Alsopkilas, Cibotiums, 
and other tree Ferns of a like nature ; also the beautiful 
Thyrsopteris elegans, with a creeping rhizome, and 
fronds in many respects similar to a Davallia, which 
