134 
THE GARDENING- WORLD 
October 30, 1886. 
HOW TO GROW BULBS IN 
HOUSES IN TOWNS. 
They can probably be counted by the million who 
live in towns in the British Isles who dearly love 
flowers for their windows and rooms, especially from 
Christmas onwards, when all without is bleak and 
cheerless, but except a back yard and their rooms, 
possess few facilities for growing them. I never take a 
quiet walk through the streets of populous towns 
in Great Britain and Ireland without thinking what a 
vast number, especially women, seem to be interested 
in growing plants and flowers. I get most of the gar¬ 
dening journals, and would appeal to the editors and 
their contributors, to think oftener of these teeming 
millions. Now is the time, if not done already, to 
think of growing the majority of spring and summer¬ 
flowering bulbs. The Hyacinth comes first, for sweet¬ 
ness and beauty. The smaller Roman Hyacinths may 
be had with the dawning of the new year, producing 
several spikes, and a few scenting a whole room. How 
best to grow bulbs in rooms is the object of these 
observations. 
I know several residents in towns who collect a 
quantity of coal-ash in a back yard, or any corner 
where there is little interference for the next two or 
three months, who pot up their Hyacinths or other 
bulbs during October and November, and plunge them, 
properly labelled, in it. Here they remain until they 
burst through and begin to appear, and are then taken 
indoors, when the eyes -are very soon gladdened by the 
appearance of the flower-spikes. A few considerations 
must then be borne in mind. The roots must not 
want water, yet it would be better not to have the soil 
in the pot w T aterlogged, such as one observes when 
the pot is placed in a saucer of water permanently. 
Hyacinths will not suffer so much from this method of 
growth if light and air can be given in the daytime. 
No matter what method is adopted, it would be most 
desirable, if sweetness and robust growth is desired, to 
let the plants have both. 
Many persons, especially ladies, do not like going 
out in wet, frosty, or, perhaps, snowy weather, even to 
a backyard, to examine their favourites, to see if they 
have yet bursted through, if the pots are full of rootsA 
a necessary point before any forcing takes place—or 
whether they may be taken indoors for flowering. To 
such I cannot do better than recommend a system a 
lady in Mountjoy Square, Dublin, drew my attention 
to last spring, whose Hyacinths, early Tulips, Narcissi, 
Dielytra, Lily of the Valley, Star Anemones, and a few 
other handsome flowers attracted my attention when 
making a call on business. If I remember aright, 
it was towards the end of February, and she assured 
me Iris reticulata, Crocus, in variety, Snowdrops, Nar¬ 
cissus bulbocodium, and N. minimus were then done 
blooming. 
I enquired where the greenhouse, frames and apparatus 
were ? There were no greenhouse, no frames and no 
heating apparatus, but I -was shown into a sort of back 
lumber-room, with a large window looking north, at the 
back of the house. I saw at a glance that a considerable 
portion of this room was given up to the favourites. 
Here was the method pursued. 
Take Hyacinths for instance : the lady commenced 
by remarking if “ cruelty ” could be practised to vege¬ 
tation, growing Hyacinths in glasses of water came 
under that head ; she never did it, but liked her bulbs 
to get a fair chance to fully develope. As space was a 
consideration, no Hyacinth had larger than a 4|-in. 
pot. The potting material was the best loam, with a 
considerable dash of clean river sand, and surfaced 
with the same material. As soon as potted, plants 
of the same kind were laid in little groups, with path¬ 
ways between, on the floor, with pretty long wooden 
labels. 
The soil, when using, was tolerably moist, so no water, 
as a rule, was then given. V hen every group was 
finished, over all was placed about 2 ins. deep of the 
same moist river sand—that washed down by the sides 
of roads would be equally suitable. No further trouble 
was necessary—no watering until active growth com¬ 
menced, and none of the inconvenience of going out 
lo a backyard in bad weather. As the plants were fit, 
they were removed to a large, warm, southern window 
for blooming. I submit that this is a plain, inexpensive, 
yet successful method of growing bulbs in towns that 
all classes may practise, and by which the plants are 
always under control.— JF. J. Murphy , Clonmel. 
PROPAGATING PERNS. 
All hardy creeping rhizomes, as Davallias, Hypo- 
lepis, Goniophlebium, Microlepia, Gleichenias, &c., 
may be easily increased by severing the rhizomes 
having roots attached to them, and potting separately. 
These should, for a few days, be kept a little closer, 
that there may be no inducement to cause the fronds 
to shrivel. Those also that have many crowrns growing 
together, as Adianturns, Pteris, Polypodiums, &c., may 
be treated in the same manner. Several species, as 
Asplenium alatum, caudatum, flabellifolium, rochir- 
hizon, and Woodwardia radicans, produce young plants 
at the end of the fronds ; these may be pegged down 
till rooted, then cut off and established in separate 
pots. Woodwardia orientale [will have the whole of 
the upper surface covered with small bulbils, which, if 
planted on a damp surface, will soon root. Several of 
the Polystichums will produce small crowns at the 
juncture of the pinnre with the main stem of the frond. 
These will bear cutting up, and if inserted in a pot will 
soon establish themselves. Many of the common 
varieties will spring up in our houses in out of the way 
places. The seed spores, which are very light, will be 
wafted by any slight breath of air, and falling on a 
damp surface, quickly germinate and form young 
plants. Ferns also may be raised in large numbers if 
sown in separate pots, and covered with a piece of glass 
to prevent other varieties being self-sown in the same 
pots. Ferns may also be hybridised, strange as this 
may appear to many ; yet, when we bear in mind that 
the spores (when sown quickly) assume the prothallium 
state, and that during this condition and period the 
reproductive organs are actively at work, it will be 
admitted that the result of two sorts sown together will 
often be the production of a Fern intermediate between 
the two. This branch of the subject, however, is 
of a lengthy scientific character, which, I fear, will 
not be attractive. Permit me, however, to express 
a hope, that the consideration of the culture of this 
interesting family may be helpful to all, and that in 
the future we may be more successful in raising, as 
well as in cultivating, the many forms we may have 
under our care.— IV. Swan. 
-- 
FLORA OF THE BRITISH 
EMPIRE. 
At the inaugural meeting for the winter session of 
the Horticultural Club held recently at 1, Henrietta 
Street, Covent Garden, Mr. J. G. Baker, F.R.S., of the 
Herbarium, Kew, introduced for discussion the subject 
of the flora of the British possessions, of which the 
following is a resume. He pointed out that the British 
Empire contains the whole or a portion of seven distinct 
botanical provinces, as follows :— 
I. Britain itself is botanically a mere appendage 
of the European continent. Including Malta and 
Gibraltar, we can claim about 3,000 of the 10,000 
plants of the European flora. He thought that in 
dealing with gardens and gardening in Britain, it 
would be a decided advantage if the climatic zones as 
defined by “Watson were used by horticulturalists. 
Watson divides Britain into Arctic and Agrarian regions, 
and subdivides each of these into three zones. We 
know the zonal range of every British plant, and would 
it not be an advantage if we could similarly speak of 
Superagrarian, Midagrarian and Inferagrarian gardens? 
The Inferagrarian zone is marked by the upper limit 
of Clematis, the Midagrarian by the upper limit of 
fruticose Rubi, and the Superagrarian by that of the 
Foxglove and common Brake. 
II. India embraces every variety of climate, from 
equatorial heat to perpetual snow, and an enormous 
range of variety in humidity. In India we have not 
less than 15,000 plants. There are a large portion of 
those that are known in the whole tropical zone of the 
Old World. Sir J. D. Hooker’s “Flora of India” will 
fill no less than six volumes, of which four are now 
finished. 
III. The British possessions in North America fill 
an area nearly as large as that of Europe, but they 
yield very few plants not known in the United States. 
We estimate their flora at 5,000 species. 
IY. We have in Mauritius, Seychelles and Guinea a 
mere fragment of the little-known flora of tropical 
Africa, which closely resembles in its general features 
that of tropical Asia. We may claim here, perhaps, 
3,000 species. 
Y. The flora of the Cape and Natal is exceedingly 
rich, containing, perhaps, 8,000 or 10,000 species. On 
this subject all horticulturists should read the excellent 
sketch contributed by Mr. Bolus to the Cape hand¬ 
book issued in connection with the Indian and Colonial 
exhibition. 
YI. The flora of Australia is very rich, and has been 
fully worked out by Mr. Bentham and Baron Yon 
Mueller. The principal endemic types are concentrated 
in extra-tropical Australia. In tropical Australia there 
is a strong infusion of types from tropical Asia. The 
flora of New Zealand is not large, but interesting and 
peculiar. The flora of Fiji forms part of the general 
flora of Polynesia, and is as yet very inadequately ex¬ 
plored. There is no abrupt line of demarcation between 
Malaya and Polynesia in plants. We cannot reckon 
the number of plants in this province at less than 
10 , 000 . 
VII. In the West Indies and Guiana we possess a 
mere fragment of the great tropical American flora. 
The number of species may be estimated at 4,000. So 
that, from a botanical point of view, the empire 
embraces three distinct botanical provinces and portions 
of four others, and these different areas are so situated 
that comparatively few plants are found in more than 
one province ; so that there is in the British Empire 
nearly one-half of the whole number of the plants of 
the world—a state of things which, both in botany 
and horticulture, places us in a very favourable position. 
-- 
Hardening ffoTES from 
Scotland. 
Autumnal Notes.— Boses in flower, at the 
present season, cannot fail to excite admiration ; and 
we notice, in some unlikely places too, that the quantity 
of blooms, strength of foliage, and wood of fine pro¬ 
portions is more general this season than usual. The 
complete absence of vermin during the past season, 
no doubt has had much to do with this. Among the 
'best, at present, we have noticed Duke of Edinburgh, 
Senateur Yaisse, Lord Macaulay, Pierre Notting, 
Queen of Bedders, John Hopper and General Jacque¬ 
minot are doing extra well, literally loaded with open 
and opening blooms. Those grown on in pots during 
the summer, and kept free of flowers, are at the present 
time a mass of blossoms, and when taken under glass to 
cool airy structures, are really very fine and most useful 
objects. The beautiful, never-failing Niphetos, Gloire 
de Dijon and Souvenir de la Malmaison are in full 
bloom, and may be kept on throughout a great part of 
the season. 
Herbaceous Borders are not without interest at 
present, some very showy plants being in bloom. Groups 
or rows of Anemone japonica, white and pink, are very 
telling at present; masses of such in shrub clumps, or 
anywhere . when space can be spared, are admirable 
objects at this season—and we never saw them finer 
than they are this year—and may be cut freely for 
indoor decorative purposes. These grown in pots and 
removed to the conservatory after being kept back in 
shady positions, will repay the little trouble expended 
on them. They are good companions to Gladiolus, 
now flowering freely in pots. The seedlings, which 
have been so extensively raised of late years, and sold 
from 10s. to 20s. per 100, bring them within easy reach 
of growers. Some very distinct colours are among 
them ; for cutting they are invaluable. Named kinds 
grown in half-dozens to each pot are very valuable for 
grouping in the show house ; these being taken under 
glass now, should have drainage examined and righted 
if necessary, old surfacing taken oif and rich material 
placed in its stead ; manure-water is also of service. 
Wallflowers brought forward for flowering in pots at 
the present time, afford a fine display of sweet-scented 
flowers. If sown during March or April, pricked out 
and potted firmly, when ready, into good rich loam, 
and put along with the Chrysanthemums to share their 
treatment, will well repay labour and attention. In' 
borders they are blooming freely, and likely to continue 
while weather permits them. 
Shrubby Calceolarias which have done duty as bedding 
plants, are excellent for show during the spring and 
early summer months. Repotted in March to increase 
root-nourishment, creates great flowering vigour. 
Fruit Trees require little attention at this season 
where planting is not taking place, but there are im- 
