286 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
January 4, 18S6 
of Wistaria sinensis climbs over the houses, and 
appears on more than one front. The main stem is 
of enormous thickness. 
At this season of the year the Palm bouse is kept 
about a temperature of 45°. Here we noted a tall 
and huge mass of Philodendron pinnatifolium, with 
large, - deeply-cut leaves. Passiflora racemosa 
Loudoni is still flowering, and differs from the type 
in having darker flowers with a white instead of a 
purple corona. Callicarpa purpurea, planted out 
and 8 ft. high, is now bearing a large quantity of 
purple berries. Tall plants of Alpinia mutica are 
still producing flowers. Here it may be mentioned 
that Hedycium gardnerianum lives in the open air 
alongside of Erythrina Crista-galli. Highly inter¬ 
esting are two grand specimens of Areca Baueri, with 
tall green stems and fine heads, such as it seldom is 
our lot to see. Dracaena latifolia bears very 
numerous crowns of its broad, leathery, dark green 
leaves on a stem about 3 ft. high. Bananas planted 
out in the centre of the house are now fruiting. On 
the front, against the glass, Cereus hexagonus runs 
up to a great height. The back wall is covered with 
a specimen of Hibiscus sinensis and another of the 
semi-double H. s. Lambertii. The Shaddock 
(Citrus decurrana) is an unfamiliar occupant of 
modern establishments, so that we were delighted to 
note a large plant on the back wall bearing nine of 
its huge fruits, mostly ripe. 
From thence we passed into the fernery, rendered 
bright and gay with Calanthes, including C. Veitchi, 
C. vestita ocula'a rubra, and C. v. o. lutea. Here 
also were Centropogon lucyanus, Eranthemum 
pulchellum, and Isoloma hirsuta, with their respec¬ 
tive colours so acceptable at this season of the year. 
Cypripedium Boxallii, in fine form, will open its 
flowers shortly. 
The temple, built somewhat in the style of an 
orangery, was next inspected, and here also we met 
with many interesting subjects, which constituted 
the glory of many an establishment when other 
flowers were in fashion than those that fill the glass¬ 
houses of the present day. A large plant of Cunonia 
capensis was loaded with its long cylindrical racemes 
of white flowers. Araucaria excelsa stood 12 ft. high. 
Red Cherry-like fruits adorned the tall trees of 
Eugenia (Jambosa) australis. The Olive tree was 
about 12 ft. bigh, and Pittosporum Mayi was equally 
fine in its way. Here, too, was Sparmannia africana, 
and a remainder of the Chrysanthemums still 
brightened the hard-wooded subjects. 
Passing into another plant stove we met with 
many useful subjects, including Euphorbia 
j acquiniaeflora. Plumbago rosea, Rondeletia sp eciosa, 
Impatiens Sultani, and Eucharis grandiflora, all 
flowering. Some well-bloomed specimens of Den- 
drobium chrysanthum were suspended from tbe roof 
in baskets. Here also was a fine specimen of the old 
favourite Medinilla magnifica. A well-grown plant 
of Curculigo recurvata variegata was furnished with 
leaves 6 in. to 8 in. wide, and beautifully striped 
with silvery-white. Well-grown plants of Nepenthes 
were suspended from the roof, and notwithstanding 
the fact that they were placed under the same condi¬ 
tions as the general collection, N. raffiesiana, N. 
ampullacea, and some others, bore numerous very 
fine pitchers. 
A number of large plants of Dendrobiums in a 
resting condition occupied a cool house. They had 
made excellent growth in summer, and the flower 
buds were showing themselves in great abundance. 
D. densiflorum might be mentioned in this respect, 
and D. nobile was pushing out buds from the old 
stems as well as from the lower portion of the growths 
made last summer. 
By the time we reached the orangery, situated 
close to the mansion, the light of the short December 
day was wanmg, but sufficient remained to 
show the scope of this grand old structure filled with 
plants appropriate to its peculiar construction. 
Large Orange trees bear a crop of fruit in various 
stages. Climbers of apparently interminable length 
occupied the pillars and roof, and hung in graceful 
festoons everywhere. Amongst them were Tacsonias, 
Passifloras, Lapagerias, tbe Climbing Devoniensis 
Rose, with stems of great length, the beautiful 
Bignonia Cherere, and many others. 
Mr. Mayne gives close attention to all depart¬ 
ments of horticulture, but takes special interest in 
fruit culture. Unfortunately for us the season of the 
year prevented us from seeing the fruit crops in their 
prime. The earliest vinery has been started into 
fresh growth, the intermediate ones are resting, and 
the latest contains fruit of Alicante and Lady 
Downes still hanging. Both are finely coloured, but 
the latter is by far the best quality Grape in tbe 
opinion of most gardeners. Several pits near the 
plant houses contain a fine lot of Pineapples in an 
advanced stage of growth. 
The kitchen garden was situated at some distance 
from the plant houses, and some ranges of plant 
houses were also there. Peaches were trained on 
curved trellises some distance from the glass, and 
were in the best of conditions. In several of tbe 
houses the back wall was occupied with tall-stemmed 
Cherries, also in the best condition and well set with 
plump buds. In one case we passed through a house 
the floor of which was entirely covered with pebbles, 
and which was occupied with Fig trees trained so 
as to form an avenue arched over with the stems 
and branches of the Figs. High walls surrounded 
this garden, and were furnished with well-trained 
fruit trees, including a fine lot of Peaches and 
Morello Cherries. The open ground was stocked 
with good crops of Broccoli, Curled Kale, and other 
winter vegetables. 
The fruit room still contained many varieties of 
Apples, including Blenheim Orange, Ribston Pippin, 
and Bismarck, the latter gathered from young trees. 
Amongst late Pears, Ne Pius Meuris and others 
were still in good condition. Here we noted a 
curious but inexpensive forcing house, which any 
one might imitate without having any command of 
fire heat. A framework of wood was set up and around 
this a wall or deep layer, consisting chiefly of 
fermenting leaves, was built, and a deeper layer 
was placed over all. Entering by a door on the side 
of this curious house we found Rhubarb and Seakale 
almost fit for use. Not far off was a set of frames 
having a layer oi manure in the bottom, and over 
which the Marie Louise Violet was developing a 
plentiful crop of flowers, so acceptable at this 
season. 
-- 
BRITISH FERNS AT CHRISTMAS. 
Looking round my little Fern-house on Christmas 
morn before the festivities commenced, I could not 
help making a mental note of the superiority of these 
beautiful Cryptogams for Christmas decoration. 
That they are "common," as is generally supposed, 
is due surely to want of knowledge ; for no one 
possessed with an artistic eye or a modicum of 
appreciation for natural objects could fail to render 
homage—wffien seen—to the numerous and beautiful 
varieties of British Ferns which have been evolved 
by Dame Nature from normal types with the aid of 
the specialist’s art. 
Mr. Cbas. T. Druery who has done so much to 
popularise the choicer varieties, says in his book on 
" Choice British Ferns ’’—with special reference to 
the ignorance which is said to prevail—"be it our 
task to dispel this illusion, and reinstate them in 
their proper place— i.e., in the foremost rank of the 
delicate and charming class of foliage plants.” 
The italics are mine because I think—especially at 
this season of the year—that to the amateur with an 
unheated house they cannot be surpassed. 
“ Delicate” they certainly are not, except in respect 
to’beauty of outline, while this very particular quality 
produces that "charming” effect which operates 
so largely on aesthetic minds. And whether they 
occupy pots, pans, baskets, or rockwork, they are 
sure to give the maximum amount of delight at the 
minimum expenditure of power. 
What other class of plants, for instance, is capable 
of yielding such results without the aid of artificial 
heat ? Many and many a so-called " conservatory " 
that now brings disgrace and annoyance to its 
luckless proprietor, might thus be rendered gay, 
cheerful, and full of interest, even at this par¬ 
ticularly dull and drowsy—barring the customary 
festivities—period of the year. 
If British Ferns merit the designation of 
" common ” at any phase of their existence, that 
opprobrious epithet cannot certainly be applied to 
them, or what remains of them, at this season of 
time. 
The deciduous species and varieties, it is true, 
have become more or less dormant, although it is 
somewhat strange to observe some of the varietal 
forms still persisting long after the species which 
gave them birth. The Lady Ferns, for instance, 
speaking generally, evince a desire to go to rest very 
early, and yet one of the loveliest of their progeny 
(Atbyrium F.-f. plumosum Drueryii) retains its 
feathery fronds right up to Christmas. But, not¬ 
withstanding the great beauty of the deciduous 
forms in their season, it is the evergreen varieties 
which are so valuable during the dark days ; and 
whether these occupy the fernery proper, or are 
transferred to the ornamental vase and thence to the 
dinner table, they are alike beautiful and interesting 
and form a " charming class of foliage plants.' 1 
Moreover, their beauty is not excelled even by 
their aristocratic congeners of the stove or green¬ 
house, which require so much more care and atten¬ 
tion—and which possibly are appreciated more for 
that reason than any other. The contrast, too, 
between the aspect of things outside and inside this 
little fernery, on this “ fair Christmas morn, is 
more than marked—it is pronounced ! The weather 
on this occasion was a glorious mixture of rain, 
snow, sleet, frost, fog, haze, etc.—with a "gentle” 
nor’-easter thrown in—a typical English day 
perhaps, and one which has often served the 
■•foreigner" with a lever against us. But even 
such a state of things has its advantages, if only it 
be to enhance the value of a bit of glass, and to 
prove the foregoing remarks in favour of British 
Ferns. 
Nor genial spring, nor summer's boom, 
Nor autumn’s gold discerns 
One half the merits winter's gloom 
Displays for British Ferns. 
—C. B. G., Acton, IK. 
-- 
HOLLY. 
" 1 And wear thou this,' she solemn said, 
And bound the Holly round my head, 
With polish'd leaves and berries red.” 
— Burns. 
Now, when the mountain Ash her clusters red 
Hath lost, and russet haws have left their thorn, 
Holly, thy bright vermilion beads display— 
Display thy polish'd and spear-guarded leaves. 
Nor lose thy scarlet gems, till May returns. 
Holly—December’s pride—so green and gay. 
While all around is nakedness and gloom. 
Luxuriant on the starv'd and shingly steep, 
And smiling mid the fierce extremes of heat ’n ! 
Hail, warrior arm'd in ever-verdant proof ; 
Piercing thy foes, invulnerable thyself, 
Whose beauty, cloth’d with hardihood, supplies 
The noblest wall, bright and impregnable I 
Hail, type of Christmas joyance ! type of hope 
And immortality in death 1 design'd— 
Fain would I deem, as old tradition taught, 
As e'en thy name imports—for holy use, 
To grace with festal wreaths each Christian fane, 
In honour of His birth, Whose brows in death 
Were circled with a thorn}- crown, like thine ! 
— Thos. Grin field, EUenborough Farh, Weston-super- 
Mare, December, 1895. 
Dr. Turner, the earliest of our writers on plants, 
calls it H iy and Holy tree —an appellation which was 
probably given to Holly from its being used in holy 
places. In German, Danish and Swedish one of the 
names it bears answers to " Christ-tborn,” supposed 
to have been formed of the Acanthus spinosus or 
prickly Bearsfoot, of which the leaves are deeply 
jagged, each segment terminating with a sharp spine 
like those of Holly. 
The old English word for this evergreen shrub was 
holen , hoUn, or holegn, cognate with the Welsh ce'yu 
and the Irish cuileann; holm is also a corruption of 
holin. There is a tradition which was firmly held 
throughout the middle ages, that the burning bush in 
which the Lord appeared to Moses was a Holly 
tree. 
WORKING, OR RINGING. 
Rough leggv plants that have seen their best days 
and need a fresh start are greatly benefited by this 
process. If they are seen to without loss of time 
they will be well rooted before soring has become 
very far advanced. Dracaenas of all sorts, Aralias, 
Ficus, Yuccas, etc., can often be greatly improved in 
this way. The operation consists in removing all the 
lower leaves that are in danger of falling in a short 
time A sharp twist will soon tell the most in¬ 
experienced those that are ready to come off, or 
otherwise. A great advantage is to have the plant 
ring as high as possible, consistent with good wood. 
A slit one inch in length must be made in an upward 
direction half through the stem at the particular 
point which has been decided upon, and a small 
wedge inserted. If this is not done the cut will be 
closed with the subsequent binding up. A good 
handful of wet moss, with a little sand mixed, must 
be wrapped firmly round the stem and left till white 
roots can be seen coming through. The moss should 
now be let get dry.— J G. Pettinger, Strawberry Dale 
Nursery, Harrogate. 
