682 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
•June 27, 1891. 
Nephrodium Filix-mas, and by another authority 
Aspidium Filix-mas, whereas most people know it as 
Lastrrea Filix-mas. The Lady Fern was known as 
Athyrium Filix-foemina, but this has been altered to 
Asplenium Filix-foemina. The hard Shield Fern has 
long enjoyed the title of Polystichum aculeatum, but 
now is styled Aspidium aculeatum. Moreover, the old 
Scaly Fern, known everywhere as Ceterach officinarum, 
is catalogued as Asplenium Ceterach. These are but a 
few of the changes, and so the world goes nodding on, 
which goes to prove that, in Fern lore at any rate, it 
is necessary to keep in close touch with “to-day,” for 
it seems the lesson gained “yesterday” stands in danger 
of being reckoned a farce and a delusion. 
The Ferns most frequently found growing wild in 
Devonshire are the Brake Fern (Pteris aquilina), the 
Male Fern (Xephrodium Filix-mas), the Lady Fern 
(Asplenium Filix-fcemina), the Hart’s Tongue (Scolo- 
pendrium vulgare), the Common Polypody (Polypodium 
vulgare), the Rough Spleenwort (Lomaria spicant), the 
Maidenhair Spleenwort (Asplenium trichomanes), the 
Black Spleenwort, known in Covent Garden as French 
Fern (Asplenium Adiantum nigrum), the Scale Fern 
(Asplenium Ceterach), the Hard Shield Fern (Aspidium 
aculeatum), the Royal or Flower Fern (Osmunda 
regalis), the Wall Rue Spleenwort (Asplenium Ruta- 
muraria), the Crested Shirid Fern (Uephrodium spinu- 
losum), the Great Crested Shield Fern (Kephrodium 
spinulosum dilatatum), the Soft Shield Fern (Aspidium 
angulare), the Sea Spleenwort (Asplenium marinum), 
the Beech or Mountain Polypody (Polypodium phego- 
pteris), the Common Moon Wort (Botrychium lunaria), 
the Adder’s Tongue (Ophioglossum vulgatum), and the 
Filmy Fern (Hymenophyllum tunbridgense), &c., &c., 
but some of the last named were very scarce years ago, 
and can now, I expect, be only found in private gardens, 
where latterly the various forms of British and exotic 
hardy Ferns have been manipulated and many fine 
seedlings raised, so that now we have in cultivation 
hundreds of garden varieties, many being extremely 
novel and beautiful. — TV. Napper, Chelsea. 
-- 
THE LILY OF THE VALLEY. 
The Lily of the Yalley, or Lily Convally, from the 
Greek, is the Lily of the combes or hollows, a name 
probably taken from Cant. ii., 1, “I am the Lily of 
the Talleys.” But it is not, as many have supposed, 
the flower alluded to by Our Lord when he bade His 
disciples “ Consider the Lilies of the field.” This is an 
opinion frequently broached in popular books, but it 
may simply be observed that-ihe plant never grows in 
the open fields, and there is nothing in its array to 
which the term “glory ” is applicable. We are further 
informed that the Lily of the Yalley does not grow in 
Palestine. 
We can glory in this, that the Lily of the Yalley— 
as perfect an emblem of purity, modesty, and humility 
as the floral world can afford — is truly a British plant. 
It is an inhabitant of the woods of many parts of 
England, and it is not to be wondered at that it was 
taken in hand, cultivated in our gardens, and so made 
a popular flower. 
Messrs. Hawkins and Bennett grow it by tens of 
thousands, and they, by means of high culture, have 
so improved this flower that they have selected a type 
of large size and great beauty, of bold and imposing 
growth, which they have named “Yictoria,” and which 
they distributed to the public for the first time during 
the year of Her Majesty’s Jubilee. They plant large 
beds of it, and cultivate the flower as generously as the 
gardener does his Grapes and Melons. As a rule the 
flower-loving public do not cultivate this plant ; they 
are content to plant it in any out-of-the-way place, not 
caring if the soil is suitable, but it is so sweet-tempered 
and accommodating that it grows and blossoms, though 
not nearly so freely and finely as it would if better 
cared for. 
Messrs. Hawkins & Bennett plant in beds ; the soil 
is taken out to the depth of 8 ins.; the soil below is 
broken up to a similar depth ; they fill in with a 
mixture of stable and cow manure and fresh slaked 
lime, which is mixed well with the soil taken out, and 
in this the roots are planted. It is surprising how 
deeply the roots will go down into good soil. They 
have a succession of beds ; the earliest facing the south, 
the next facing the east, and the third near a north 
wall, but not close to it. By this means they get a 
remarkable succession of bloom. But they are careful 
never to plant near any trees that will absorb the 
moisture from the beds. Such beds will last for six 
or seven years. 
The preparation of the beds, as set forth above, will 
give some idea how the soil should be prepared in the 
open ground. The plants flower sparingly the first 
year, but the second and third they make an excellent 
return for the trouble of cultivation. In the autumn 
the plants are greatly helped by a top-dressing of 
manure, and this should be put on the beds or 
plantations as soon as the leaves have sufficiently 
decayed so that they can be drawn away by means of a 
rake. 
The sorts are practically confined to a double variety, 
and one having the blossoms tinted with red, but they 
are greatly inferior to the Yictoria variety. 
From France, Holland, and Germany especially, we 
import Lilies of the Yalley very largely ; from France 
and Holland in clumps, and from Germany bundles of 
large plump crowns for forcing. They are potted, 
plunged in leaves, or some such material, and gradually 
brought on into blossom in warmth. But as they 
bloom without putting forth roots, the plants are 
thus materially weakened, and they are of but little 
real value for planting out after they have been forced 
into flower. 
Lilies of the Yalley are termed Yirgins’ Tears ; they 
are among the flowers dedicated to Whitsuntide, and 
in some parts of England still retain their old name of 
May Lilies. Old Gerard quaintly remarks that the 
“flowers of Lily of the Yalley being close stopped up 
in a glass, put into an anthill, and taken away again 
a month after, ye shall find a liquor in the glass, 
which being outwardly applied helpeth the gout.” In 
France, Germany and Holland these Lilies are known 
as May flowers. It is curious to note that there exists in 
Devonshire a superstition that it is unlucky to plant a 
bed of Lily of the Yalley, and that the person doing 
so will probably die in the course of the ensuing twelve 
months. It is said that the perfume of the blossoms 
has a high value when employed against nervous 
affections. The water distilled from them was 
formerly in such great repute that it was kept only 
in vessels of gold and silver ; hence it was sometimes 
termed aqua aurea. There is a legend in Sussex that 
in the forest of St. Leonard, where the hermit saint 
once dwelt, fierce encounters took place between a 
holy man and a dragon which infested the neighbour¬ 
hood, the result being that the dragon was gradually 
driven back into the inmost recesses of the forest, and 
at last disappeared. The scenes of their successive 
combats are revealed every year, when beds of fragrant 
Lilies of the Valley spring up wherever the earth was 
sprinkled by the blood of the warrior saint.— R. D. 
--- 
NOTES FROM DOVER. 
The city worker who is enabled to snatch a brief 
respite from his mural duties, almost invariably directs 
his attention towards the country. If he can divide 
this attention between the sea and the land, so much 
the better, as doubtless his interest in life generally 
will be thereby intensified and stimulated, for he can 
thus observe the sights and sounds of maritime as well 
as rural life. In these times of severe strain and great 
mental excitement, a change would seem to be in¬ 
cumbent upon everyone — an absolute necessity. 
Cowper understood human, as well as vegetable nature, 
when he wrote — 
“ A breath of unadulterated air, 
The glimpse of a green pasture, how they cheer 
The citizen, ahd brace his languid frame.” 
Perhaps nowhere can this resuscitation or this recuper¬ 
ation be better effected than on the awe-inspiring and 
magnificent chain of hills contiguous to the object of 
our research. In fact, Dover may be said to be sessile — 
to use a botanical term— upon those glorious heights ; 
although, strictly speaking, it occupies—to carry the 
simile a bit further—an inferior position relatively to 
the heights above ; for, as a matter of fact, Dover lies 
between and not upon this great calcareous range, 
which, by reason of its whiteness seawards, induced the 
Romans to dub our country Albion. 
Dover, then, by virtue of its peculiar situation, offers 
the visitor a choice of routes. He may journey inland, 
and take the valley of the Dour without much exertion, 
and where he will find much of a quiet pastoral life, 
and a certain luxuriance of vegetable matter, which is 
sure to please and can be attained without recourse to 
much loss of vital power. Or, on the other hand, he 
can elect a glorious ramble over hill or cliff. This 
latter course, I am inclined to think, tends more to 
elevation of mind as well as body, and to bring the 
former into closer union to, and contemplation of, the 
marvellous works of creation ; while the latter is 
nvigorated and sustained on account of the increased 
altitude and general novelty of the scene which is almost 
sure to prevail. 
Both, however, will be beneficial, and if this is not 
horticulture, Mr. Editor, I trust a little diversion will be 
tolerated, if only on account of the increased activity 
in matters floral, which is sure hereafter to obtain. As 
Dover cannot be reached by rad except the “ Garden 
of England ’ be traversed, I may, enpassant, just allude 
to the lights and shades, the Apples and Cherries, the 
Strawberries and Hops, and the other products for 
which the county of Kent is so celebrated. 
As one gets fairly involved in the mazes of fields, 
woods and hills, and the soft vapours of evening 
gently decline, the spirit is refreshed, and the eye is 
attracted insensibly to the orchards of Plum, Apple and 
Cherry; the fields of Wheat, Barley, Clover, Yetch, 
and small fruits ; not forgetting our alcoholic friend or 
enemy the exuberant Hop, which in places looks 
particularly kind and grateful, and indicative of rude 
health and substantial return of outlay by-and-bye. 
Unfortunately good results are not in themselves an 
unmitigated blessing, as the markets thus become over¬ 
stocked, and the poor farmer burdened instead of 
benefited by an abundant crop. At this time of the 
year—viz., the middle of June—a curious sight presents 
itself in these hop-gardens, as the upright poles are 
connected together by wire and string, rendering the 
whole garden, as viewed from the railway, a veritable 
harbour full of sailless vessels, yet still retaining their 
masts and ropes. 
Such is the effect of recent agitation in respect to 
fruit culture, that many of these, gardens are destined 
to become orchards ere many more seasons wax and 
wane. Already they are planted with small fruits and 
other pomological produce, which only require time 
and a minimum of care to bring about the desired result. 
Here and there acres of Strawberries, Potatos, Peas 
and other leguminous crops bid well, while cereals 
generally, although late, appear vigorous and promis¬ 
ing ; add to these great stretches of Clover and Crimson 
Yetch, and Dame Xature’s covering will be admitted to 
consist of many hues. A picture like this will conjure 
up very pleasant thoughts, and as we admire the great 
Ox-eye Daisies, the common Feverfews, the golden 
Hawkweeds, or the red Yalerian, on either side our 
course, we penetrate the famous cliffs of Dover, and 
arrive, all too soon, at our important and ancient 
destination. The docks, the harbour, the pier, or the 
picturesque and antique castle of “ancient days,” 
must perforce remain unnoticed. Our business is with 
the vegetable world, from which we have strayed too 
long. 
It may seem paradoxical to speak of horticulture 
here, for business seems to be the sine qua non, and 
much energy is expended on military and naval affairs. 
But notwithstanding the absorbing interest devoted to 
the militaire and naval questions, some little attention 
is directed to matters floral, and thus, here and there, 
effects are produced equivalent to that of other more 
favoured seaside resorts. A striking and particular 
feature are the long lines of Euonymus hedges which 
adorn the little front gardens and the public places. 
There are several species and varieties grown, but the 
most notable just now is a pale green narrow-leaved 
variety, which, during its growth, becomes transformed 
to a brilliant yellow hue—a “ golden dream,” however, 
as in due time it reverts to its natural and verdant 
condition. I think this must be due to saline causes, 
as I have not observed this peculiarity inland. 
However, the Euonymus is largely cultivated, and 
seems specially happy and effective on the sea coast. 
Behind these little ramparts of vegetable beauty, many 
good free-flowering floral things crop up for our delec- 
tat’on and admiration. There is no particular attention 
devoted to systematic arrangement, a careless method 
rather prevails, although here and there geometrical 
designs are seen. Some beds of purple Yiolas edged 
with yellow of the same species, and great masses of 
dwarf compact rosy coloured Silenes, gave me especial 
pleasure. The former were of the purest and cleanest 
of colours, and the latter of the richest rose, and 
beautiful beyond description. 
Pinks of the Mrs. Sinkins type, and Antirrhinums 
of many colours, lent a grateful change, and clumps of 
double Preonies and single giant Poppies excited one's 
appreciative susceptibilities. The usual bedding plants 
which will in their own time go to make a show and 
vie for the supremacy, are not particularly consoling 
just now, and one turns from these profligate-looking 
subjects, not yet established, with disgust, to feast 
the eye on lovely clumps of white, rose and crimson 
Pyrethrums, or masses of bright yellow, sweet-scented 
Day Lilies (Hemerocallis flava). 
