594 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
May 18, 1889. 
interesting, and should go far to elucidate the question 
as to the way in which those already in cultivation 
have arisen. There seems no reason why double 
Primroses should not originate as seedlings any more 
than in the case of Primula sinensis. The truly double 
forms of that species are comparatively few, and no 
others can he raised from them, for the simple reason 
that the organs of reproduction have been disturbed or 
destroyed so far as their potentiality for that purpose 
is concerned. The so-called semi-doubles that are 
regularly raised from seeds are not affected in this 
way at all. The new segments are merely outgrowths 
from the surface of the petals, and equalling them in 
number, while the stamens and pistils are unaffected. 
Before reading Mr. Kipling’s communication we 
noticed the great resemblance which the double 
flowers in question bear to the garden Poly¬ 
anthus both in colour and size of the flowers, the 
golden yellow or orange blotches at the base of the 
corolla segments, and what is more important, the fact 
that the common peduncles have elongated in some 
cases from 1 in. to 2 ins., bearing two or three flowers 
each. We think that this goes a long way to establish 
the fact that the garden Polyanthus is more nearly 
related to Primula vulgaris than to either P. veris or 
P. elatior ; indeed, it might be no difficult task to 
enumerate facts to show that the Polyanthus has been 
evolved from P. vulgaris alone, chiefly by the elongation 
of the common footstalk, which normally remains 
hidden amongst the bases of the leaves. The flowers 
of the wild types of P. veris and P. elatior—especially 
of the former—are more cup-shaped than those of 
P. vulgaris or of the Polyanthus. Then, again, the 
young inflorescence of P. veris is nodding, whereas it is 
not so in the other cases. We think, therefore, that 
there was no necessity for intercrossing in this instance 
at all. The common footstalk does sometimes elongate 
even in the single forms of the Primrose. The single- 
flowered specimens from which the double was raised 
and sent along with the latter were all thrum-eyed, 
with broad segments to the corolla, and a five-lobed 
orange-yellow eye. The new variety is perfectly 
double, with very numerous segments, and on dissecting 
a flower we could find no trace of the pistil whatever. 
Segments and aborted stamens succeeded each other to 
the very centre and base of the flower, where they were 
crowded in bud form. No seedlings can he raised from 
it while it retains this form.— Ed.] 
-- 
THE FERNERY. 
Present Treatment of Ferns. 
All kinds of Ferns are now making rapid growth, and 
their future health and stability will greatly depend 
upon the treatment they receive during the growing 
period. Shading is a matter that must not be over- 
'ooked, as it enhances the fresh and green appearance 
of the leaves if it has been judiciously used. It is, 
however, frequently overdone, to the evident disad¬ 
vantage of the Ferns and their lasting powers, especially 
when placed in houses with a dry atmosphere, or when 
used for decorative purposes. Growth should be 
encouraged by a warm temperature and a moist atmo¬ 
sphere, and shading given during the hottest part of the 
day only. On bright and warm days a light syringing 
may be given to most stove Ferns ; but it must not be 
overdone, or the leaves will become long, flabby, and 
weak. Powdery or hairy-leaved kinds—such as Adi¬ 
antum Williamsii, silver and golden-leaved Gymnogram- 
mas, Nothochlmnas, and others of that class—should 
not be syringed at any time. The stems of tree Ferns 
will derive advantage through being syringed by 
encouraging the development of fresh roots. 
Another matter calling for attention is the removal of 
old fronds. In the case of Adiantum cuneatum it is 
now the usual thing to cut down the old fronds entirely 
in spring before re-starting the plants. This may be 
practised with impunity in the case of the softer-leaved 
and quicker-growing kinds, but hard-leaved sorts, such 
as A. peruvianum, A. trapeziforme and others, would be 
seriously weakened by cutting down the old leaves 
before young ones are developed. When this has 
occurred advantage may be taken of it to remove old 
fronds that are badly affected with scale. By this 
means also the young fronds will have more room to 
develop properly. Other Ferns may be looked over 
and the old fronds removed in the same way. 
Ferns for Baskets. 
The effect of a Fernery, whether for tropical or tem¬ 
perate Ferns, is often greatly enhanced by growing a 
number of specimens in baskets of kinds suitable for 
that purpose. Some of the hardier kinds may be and 
are grown in conservatories with great advantage. They 
may be constantly grown there suspended in baskets, or 
if they are taken to a warmer place to have their fronds 
developed, they should he gradually hardened before 
being put back. Kinds suitable for this purpose are 
Aspleniumlucidum, Woodwardia radicans, Aerostiehum 
alcicorne, Polypodium (Goniophlebium) subauriculatum, 
Davallia elegans, D. e. dissecta, D. pallida, Nephrolepis 
exaltata, Aspidium angulare proliferum or any other of 
its fine varieties, Asplenium flaccidum, and others. 
In tropical ferneries, or where a moister atmosphere 
prevails than in the conservatory, a large number of 
Ferns, such as Adiantum caudatum, A. lunulatum, 
Polypodium subauriculatum, together with Davallia 
elegans, D. Tyermanni, and D. bullata, can be seen to 
best advantage when grown as basket plants. The long 
creeping rhizomes of the Davallias grown in baskets 
should be pegged all round the same until nothing of 
them can be seen. Ocher kinds that prove very hand¬ 
some when suspended from the roof of the house are 
Gymnogramma schizophylla, Adiantum Moorei (also 
known as A. amabilis), A. cuneatum, A. c. graeillimum, 
A. "Williamsii, Nephrolepis davallioides, and its variety 
N. d. furcans. Some of the Selaginellas, such as 
S. insequalifolia, are very effective grown in the same 
way. 
Baskets of various kinds are used, but they will last 
longer, and always appear neat, if made of stout gal¬ 
vanised wire. In the case of Ferns that cannot be 
fastened all round the baskets, such as the Davallias 
with their curious white and brown scaly rhizomes, 
Selaginella Kraussiana may be used as a covering. 
-- 
AN ALPINE NURSERY AT 
SOUTHPORT. 
This home of the Alpine class of plants, the nursery of 
Messrs. StansfieldBrothers, St. Lukes, Southport, is now 
worth more than a passing glance. The writer has for 
years been taking note of the increasing beauty and 
rarity of the plants exhibited by this firm, at Old 
Trafford, Manchester, and he determined to pay the 
grounds a visit, nor was he disappointed in his journey. 
But before going further, perhaps it would be as well 
to explain and clear away a little confusion which 
exists in the trade with regard to the name of the firm. 
“ Stansfield” is a name which has become as familiar 
in the trade or gardening world as “ household words.” 
The oldest firm known bearing the name of Stansfield, 
was A. Stansfield & Sons, of the famed “Home of 
Ferns,” Todmorden. That firm is represented at the 
present day by Messrs. A. Stansfield & Co., who have also 
a branch nursery at Kersel Moor, Manchester, and have 
no business relations with any other house of a similar 
name. 
Another firm of Stansfield is represented by two 
brothers, nephews of the before mentioned firm of 
A. Stansfield & Co., and who, taking their shares out 
of the original Todmorden establishment, commenced 
in opposition to the original firm, first at Pontefract, 
and afterwards at Sale, under the title of Stansfield 
Brothers ; but this is a distinct business. The firm 
we are now concerned with was originated by two 
young men having no relations with the other establish¬ 
ments, and who, having had a good trade training, 
came to the rising town of Southport about twelve years 
ago. They selected a spot of land two miles out of the 
town, where they thought they would not he disturbed 
by the building mania ; but in this they were deceived. 
Their present place, is surrounded by houses on every 
side for over a mile, yet notwithstanding this dis¬ 
advantage, the writer was surprised at the systematic 
way in which things seemed to be arranged. 
Passing through thedwelling-house we were introduced 
to the back garden attached to Mr. R. H. Stansfield’s 
villa, where we were somewhat puzzled as to which we 
should look at and admire first—the plants or the 
compact arrangement of the place. “ We do largely in 
Grasses,” we were told, a fact which was fully confirmed by 
a shed or warehouse, on our right, full of sacks of Grass 
seed, and Mr. Stansfield, being a practical geologist, 
takes pains to study the Grasses best suited to the soils 
on which they are to be grown. To the left is a long 
greenhouse reaching the whole length of the garden. 
We were astounded on looking inside, for never did we 
see such a crowded miscellaneous lot of stove stock got 
together in the same space. No one but a genius 
could have so contrived to stow them away, and yet lose 
so few during the winter. Here were pans containing 
thousands of rooted cuttings of OleariaHaastii. “This,” 
said Mr. Stansfield, “is to be one of the best plants of 
the future, especially for sandy seaside places. 
Nothing hurts its Box-like foliage ; no blast touches it. 
The plant grows and flowers as freely in sand by the 
sea-washed shore as in an inland position, and is found 
very useful by the corporation.” 
We, however, had our attention arrested by the 
stock of Alpines and other hardy plants. Tne species 
exceed 2,000 in number, and as far as we could judge, 
are all true to name—a great desideratum. The whole 
of these plants, including those in the specimen 
pans—which are to do duty at Old Trafford, at the 
next Whitsuntide show—are all plunged in the open 
ground ; there are no frames to coddle these hardy 
p lants. Here they have stood all the winter, passing 
through safely, and have just had a spring dressing. 
A clear, distinct label is placed in each pot, and then 
they are systematically plunged in the natural sandy 
soil, in beds with an alley between. By this means 
anyone looking up an order may gather the species 
together as fast as a man could walk—a vast improve¬ 
ment on the days of yore, when it fell to the writer’s 
lot to sometimes waste an hour looking for a single 
plant. The whole garden is filled with these beds, 
thousands just coming into bloom, and at the bottom 
of the place is a collection of about sixty species of 
Lilies. I must not attempt to describe the things I 
saw in bloom, but will refer my readers to the firm’s 
splendidly arranged catalogue. Tnose visiting South- 
port may call and see for themselves. 
From here we were taken to another small nursery, 
which I may best describe in the languige of an old 
Yorkshire nurseryman, under whom I once served, as 
“’our oddment nursery,” for here is kept a plant or 
two of everything, so as to save the foremans legs if 
odd plants are wanted. This plan I found worked 
with great alvantage, as several persons came while 
I was there for plants brought from the other 
nurseries two miles off. 
On our way there we were told that this firm is most 
extensively engaged in the laying out of the new villa 
gardens which are being erected by hundreds. Me 
were astonished at the sums of money spent in the 
making of new gardens, for every ton of soil has to he 
purchased and brought from ten or more miles to lay 
upon the natural sand before anything can be planted ; 
yet every tree seemed to grow kindly, and the Rhodo¬ 
dendrons thrive like Willows, notwithstanding the 
blizzards of fine sand that fill the air with every wind 
that blows. The hand of man seems to be mastering 
all difficulties. 
Messrs. Stansfield are this summer removing their 
whole stock two miles further out in the country, which 
would dishearten a stranger unacquainted with the 
capabilities of the soil. It seems to be all shifting 
sand, and yet what a roothold the trees and shrubs have 
in it, or rather, I should say, would have, if their 
customers would only let them stand long enough ! 
But here we found it was the same as at the first place. 
No sooner are the beds filled up than someone comes, 
and holes and gaps are made in them. 
We have no time to mention the various im¬ 
portations received from different places, nor how soon 
they were all distributed, of the new and rare finds 
we heard of, nor the projected journeys up mountain 
sides. These matters must be left to develop them¬ 
selves, which they will do all in good time, for when did 
patience and earnest perseverance ever fail to reward its 
possessor ?—A Hasty Visitor. 
-»X<->- 
HARDY FLOWERS FROM 
IRELAND. 
We have received a boxful of hardy herbaceous 
flowers from Mr. T. Smith, Daisy Hill Nursery, 
Ireland. Conspicuous amongst them was Tulipa 
Eichleri, with scarlet flowers and a large black blotch, 
surrounded by a yellow line at the base of the segments. 
The curiously-undulated, glaucous leaves are prostrate 
on the ground till the flower expands, when the whole 
is lifted up for about an inch. Accompanying it was a 
giant specimen of T. fulgens, with scarlet flowers and 
a white base. Irish Anemones, semi-double varieties 
of A. coronaria, were resplendent in scarlet, purple, and 
salmon colours, while they were also of large size. 
Scilla hispanica alba, better known as S. campanulata 
alba, was accompanied by another white form, named 
S. pyramidalis alba, having much longer racemes of 
pure white flowers. He also has the rose and red 
varieties, but they are later in coming into bloom. For 
the decoration of rockwork iu spring, Phlox amoma 
and Mitella prostrata are exceedingly pretty and flori- 
ferous plants. 
A seedling Daisy, named Regina, has very 
double, soft pink heads, and would no doubt he very 
useful for spring bedding. A form of the Summer 
