April 20, 1889. 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
D29 
are somewhat different in shape from those of the 
Trumpet Lily, being halbert instead of arrow-shaped. 
They are also of a dark shining green, and marked all 
over with oblong white blotches, which enhance their 
appearance considerably. The usual period of flowering 
is in summer, and the species might prove valuable as 
a successor to the common one when it goes out of 
lower. Specimens at Homefield, Ealing, the residence 
of J. Daw, Esq., have just commenced flowering. 
Rhododendron, Countess of Haddington. — For 
oarly spring flowering, whether as large or small 
specimens, this hybrid will always prove useful for 
oonservatory decoration on account of its large and 
showy flowers, which are produced in astonishing 
numbers, especially on large plants. It succeeds equally 
well either in pots or planted out, and the only com¬ 
plaint that can be made against it is that old plants 
are inclined to be somewhat straggling. This is 
remedied by tying the plant into some particular shape 
as practised by various growers ; but although the untied 
plant takes up more space it is far more natural in 
appearance. The buds in the young state are purple, 
and even when fully expanded the corollas are deeply 
stained with pink, white internally, and highly 
fragrant. A specimen planted out in the conservatory 
at Devonhurst, Chiswick, now in full bloom, carries 
from two to four flowers in a truss, and between 700 
and 800 in the aggregate. 
--»$<?-- 
THE FERNERY. 
Filmy Ferns. 
Many are deterred from attempting the culture of these 
beautiful and most interesting Ferns from a mistaken 
idea that they require great skill in their management, 
and a high temperature to ensure success. A great 
number of the species of Trichomanes, Hymeno- 
phyllums, as well as Todea superba, can be grown in 
windows even of a dwelling-house, provided they are 
kept in Wardian cases. In the matter of attention 
they really require less than almost any other class of 
plants in respect to watering. They do not, however, 
like sunlight, nor strong light at any time, although 
no harm will be done provided they are shaded from 
strong sunshine, which is liable to brown the fronds. 
Even in smoky London some of the finest collections 
of filmy Ferns have been cultivated. 
Cases of any convenient shape or size may be con¬ 
structed in any fernery adapted for the culture of Ferns 
of cool or temperate countries. Neat and tastefully- 
constructed rockeries may be made in these cases, and 
the majority of the filmy Ferns planted thereon. If 
soft and porous sandstone can be obtained for this 
purpose so much the better, as it will retain a large 
quantity of moisture, and at the same time afford a 
suitable medium on which many kinds may be grown 
to perfection. Rough fibrous peat and loam, the latter 
in moderate quantity, together with little bits of 
charcoal and chopped sphagnum will form a suitable 
compost in which to plant the Ferns. Such kinds as 
Trichomanes reniforme, T. Petersi, and others, feel 
perfectly comfortable and happy when grown on rough 
slabs of soft sandstone. 
If newly imported, the chief difficulty lies in getting 
them established, after which their culture is of the 
simplest. Pieces obtained from the nursery, and 
already established in pots, will be easily dealt with, 
for after removing the pots and crocks the ball of soil 
may simply be inserted in suitable receptacles amongst 
the stones of the rockwork. Press the soil firmly about 
the roots and cover the whole with a layer of fresh 
sphagnum. Most of the Trichomanes and Hymeno- 
phyllums may be treated in this way ; but those that 
form long, slender, creeping rhizomes on the surface of 
the soil succeed best when fastened to pieces of tree 
fern stem, which are covered with a dense layer of their 
own black or brown roots. Reserve spaces on the top 
of the rockwork for Todea superba and T. hymeno- 
phylloides, but especially the former, which should 
never be omitted from a collection. They should have 
plenty of space to develop their circular crowns equally 
on all sides. 
After the specimens have all been relegated to their 
proper positions, and suitable surfacing given, the 
whole should receive a thorough watering to settle 
the soil about the roots. A watering-pot with a fine 
rose is the most suitable for this purpose, as it settles 
the soil without disturbing it; but after the filmies are 
established and making fronds they should not be 
drenched overhead in this way, as it ultimately proves 
injurious by rotting the fronds. Close up the frame or 
case, when a genial moisture will arise, settling upon 
the fronds in the form of clear glistening drops. This 
is a good sign of a healthy condition and a sufficiency of 
moisture, but in the case of cool houses it must not be 
continued for an unbroken length of time in a cold 
stagnant atmosphere. 
A gentle heat may be encouraged for a time until the 
newly-planted Ferns have fairly begun to grow, after 
which they may be kept very cool, both summer and 
winter. Should the atmosphere of the case get very 
moist, and the fronds be continually saturated, it is 
well to open the case, either at the sides or the top, 
for a time every morning, or every second morning, to 
evaporate the excess of moisture. Under these con¬ 
ditions the filmy Ferns will grow healthily and strong, 
and wear a fresh appearance. Some of the species are 
bright green, others dull or dark green, while some of 
them naturally’always present a pale brown appearance. 
-->!-<-- 
DORONIGUM PLANTAGINEUM 
EXOELSUM. 
In several gardens this is known as Doronicum Harpur 
Crewe, a name which was given in honour of that 
enthusiastic hardy-plant grower, the Rev. Harpur 
Crewe. As the above name implies, the plant is a tall- 
growing form of the Plantain-leaved Doronicum, a 
native of Britain, and which under favourable 
conditions attains a height of 5 ft. As a general rule, 
however, the plant does not exceed 3 ft., and frequently 
may be seen only half that height, and is, therefore, a 
convenient plant for small gardens, producing a large 
quantity of flowers during the whole of summer. On 
Doronicum plantagineum excelsum. 
the other hand, the early-flowering D. caucasicum and 
D. austriacum, followed later by D. Pardalianches, 
flower only for some weeks, after which they go to rest 
or produce leaves as an aftermath only. The best 
results are obtained by frequent transplantation of the 
offsets, or simply by the division of the fleshy, tuberous- 
looking rhizomes, and by planting in tolerably rich 
soil. In this manner the plant increases rapidly, 
producing flower-heads 3 ins. or 4 ins. in diameter, and 
of a rich golden yellow. In favourable seasons it 
commences flowering in March and keeps on till 
October, producing upright little branched stems. We 
are indebted to Mr. T. S. Ware for the illustration, 
which shows the habit of a plant in full flower. 
-- 
SPRING FLOWERS. 
In spite of the cold and sunless weather, and frosty 
nights, hardy spring flowers are making determined 
efforts to be in season at all hazard. A boxful of many 
beautiful kinds has reached us from Mr. T. S. Ware, of 
the Hale Farm Nurseries, and which were as fresh and 
clean as they might be any time during summer. A 
few of them had been grown under glass it is true, 
including the beautiful Cypripedium calceolus, rarely 
found now in this country in a wild state, and a novelty 
in the shape of a giant proliferous Lily of the Valley 
(Convallaria majalis prolificans), with flower-stems 
about 1 ft. high, and leaves even taller. The original 
flowers have become cut into separate segments, while 
several other more or less perfect flowers are produced 
in the axils of the latter. Therefore, instead of the 
flowers being borne singly, they are in clusters of three 
to five, and as fragrant as the type. 
Tulip3 were represented by Tulipa Kolpakowskiana, 
with scarlet and yellow flowers, and another brilliant 
red and black-eyed kind in the way of T. oculis solis. 
Amongst Primulas were P. japonica, P. viscosa nivalis 
(pure white), and P. denticulata Cashrneriana. Grape 
Hyacinths, including Muscari botryoides album, M. 
Heildrichi, and another named M. marveanum are 
interesting when shown in contrast to other members 
of the same family, such as Chionodoxa Lucilise, 
Puschkinia scilloides and P. s. compacta, more often 
seen perhaps under the name of P. libanotica, and 
rejoicing in white flowers with a sky-blue line along 
the back. Other Lilyworts included the Dog’s-tooth 
Violets, Erythronium grandiflorum, E. g. albiflorum 
(the latter being new, with large pure white segments, 
having a yellow blotch at the base), a smaller one 
named E. purpurascens, and a seedling of E. Dens- 
canis. Dark and light-coloured varieties of Fritillaria 
latifolia must also be placed here, as well as Trillium 
sessile californicum, which has white petals, stained 
with purple at the base in the same way as Magnolia 
conspicua Soulangeana. 
Besides Cypripedium calceolus, the only other Orchid 
in the consignment was Ophrys tenthredinifera, the 
broad rich brown lip of which contrasted well with the 
greenish white sepals and petals. The typical blue 
form of Anemone apennina was accompanied by its 
white variety, A. a. alba. The latter has, however, a 
sky-blue stain on the exterior of the sepals, but it is 
only visible when the flowers are closed. Probably the 
earliest-flowering Poppywort, at least in this country, 
is Sanguinaria canadensis, of dwarf habit, with white 
flowers, and perfectly hardy. Exceedingly graceful 
and pretty Daffodils are Narcissus Johnstoni, N. cycla- 
mineus (both yellow), and N. triandrus albus, with 
nodding creamy white Fuchsia-like flowers. 
-- 
The Rose Garden, 
A Propagating Feat. 
Mr. Edwin Lonsdale, the famous Rose grower of 
Philadelphia, writes to the American Florist :—In the 
spring of 1887 Mr. IV. \V. Coles, of Lansdowne, Pa., 
bought from Craig & Bro. for one dollar a thrifty young 
plant of the celebrated Rose, Mrs. John Laing. By 
skilful handling it developed into a fine plant, and 
grew so satisfactorily that Walter could not resist the 
temptation of calculating how many young “ Laings ” 
he would have the following spring. One day in July, 
1887, Mr. Coles met Mr. John Burton, and the subject 
came up in conversation as to how many young Rose 
plants could be raised from one stock plant in one 
season. I forget how many Mr. Burton said he 
thought it was possible to raise, but Mr. Coles emphat¬ 
ically asserted that he could raise 500 by the following 
April (1888). This was just as vigorously disputed, 
until a wager was proposed—a champagne supper for 
those present—which was accepted and put on record. 
The plant continued to improve, and as the time for 
operations approached stocks suitable for grafting had 
to be secured, for there were no restrictions as to how 
the propagating should be done, either by grafting, 
budding, or on own roots. After some slight difficulty 
the necessary number of Manetti stocks were obtained, 
and on December 24th the first lot of plants were 
grafted, amounting in number to something less than 
180 ; most of them grew and made a rapid growth. In 
the following February these plants yielded a number 
of scions —considerably over 1,000, and on the day 
specified, namely, April 15th, 1883, Mr. Coles had the 
extreme satisfaction of pointing out to the referee, Mr. 
John Westcott, upwards of 1,300 plants fit to ship to 
any point in this country. The question among local 
propagators is now, can this record be beaten ? 
-—>X-o- 
PRIMULA GASHMERIANA. 
A distinct and interesting Alpine from the mountains 
of northern India, vigorous of growth and free of 
flowering, P. denticulata Cashrneriana is worthy of a 
place in the choicest collection of herbaceous perennials. 
At the present time its fine large globular heads of bloom, 
well lifted above the mealy-covered foliage, are very 
conspicuous by reason of their colour, which is pale 
purple with a yellow eye ; their form, which is a dense 
crowded umbel ; and for their beauty, which is very 
attractive and more persistent than in some of the 
other species of this large, beautiful, and varied genus. 
A native of Cashmere, or Kashmir, from whence it 
derives its varietal name, it is perfectly hardy, and can 
be wintered in a cold frame with advantage. In 
