November 16, 1S89, 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
m 
fine size and substance and also side branches, with 
compact little heads delicious for table use. There 
is much here of a most interesting description ; I, 
fear, however, to trespass on your space. Mr. Sherwin, 
however, deserves much praise for the excellent manner 
in which everything is kept, and for the many improve¬ 
ments and alterations he has been able to carry out, 
thus heartily entering into the desires and purposes of 
a liberal and large-hearted employer. — JV. S. 
-- 
THE REGENERATION OP 
FORESTS. 
In his opening address at Edinburgh University on 
October 23rd, Dr. Somerville said that the presence of 
ground-game, to the extent one almost always meets 
with it here, precludes any great hope of success at¬ 
tending attempts at the natural regeneration of our 
woods and forests, or their artificial regeneration by 
sowing. Perhaps this is not universally true, but one 
meets with very few exceptions. One need not go the 
length of saying that the renewal of woodlands by 
natural or artificial sowing is always, or even generally, 
the best method to adopt; but where circumstances 
interpose a barrier to prevent these methods being em¬ 
ployed in cases where they would otherwise be con¬ 
sidered advantageous, then, of course, 'aetionis hampered, 
and ultimately some other system must be adopted, 
which, had the conditions been otherwise, would have 
been considered quite inferior. Where practicable, the 
natural regeneration system is the most rational and 
economical system, and gives the best results. 
It would not be difficult to prove that timber yielded 
by naturally renewed forests is better than that yielded 
by those which have been artificially planted ; but one 
or two reasons may be indicated to explain why it 
is so. Where the parent trees are mature and healthy 
very large quantities of seeds are shed annually or 
periodically, far more indeed than are actually required 
for re-stocking the ground. Although an immense 
number of seeds perish, still a sufficient number ger¬ 
minate to produce a dense, covering of young plants, 
and in this way the moisture in the soil is protected 
against evaporation, due to the direct action of the sun, 
or to drying winds. To the shading of the ground is 
also to be attributed an increase in its fertility, and 
nitrification is hardly of less importance in forestry 
than in agriculture. The beneficial effects upon tree 
growth, which accompany a complete shading of the 
ground, are far greater than would be considered 
possible by those who had not watched the result. 
This is a matter whose importance is fully appreciated 
on the Continent, -where nothing in the whole manage¬ 
ment of forests is more insisted upon than the preser¬ 
vation of an unbroken umbrageous covering. In the 
middle period of the life of a forest, this is not difficult 
to accomplish ; but in the earlier period, before the 
young trees have closed in on each other, as well as in 
the later period, after extensive thinning has taken 
place, the ground can only be completely, and at the 
same time profitably, shaded by the process of natural 
regeneration. 
Professor Marshall Ward, in a recently published 
work, mentions a case which came under his observa¬ 
tion two years ago. In the district of Freising, in 
Bavaria, there is a Larch plantation about seventy 
years old. Twenty years ago the trees of this planta¬ 
tion were showing unmistakable signs of lack of 
vigour—that is to say, they were making little growth 
and were assuming a stunted appearance. Now, as 
is well known, the Larch has a comparatively small 
mass of foliage, and therefore cannot shade the ground 
to the same degree as many other trees. In the plan¬ 
tation in question the plan was adopted of thickly 
stocking the ground with young Beeches, and this 
succeeded so well that now all signs of premature 
ripeness in the trees have disappeared, and a new lease 
of life seems to have been granted to the plantation. 
Scarcely less important than the shading of the 
ground is the shading of the lower parts of the stems 
or boles of the trees, for by this means the undue 
formation of the inferior wood which is first produced 
in a growing season is prevented. By the ordinary 
methods of cultivation adopted in this country, the 
young trees pass the first fifteen or twenty years of 
their life in a semi-isolated condition—that is to say, 
about that number of years is necessary to enable the 
trees to close in on each other. During this time the 
influence of the sun on the lower parts of the stems and 
on the roots makes itself felt much sooner in each 
season of growth than would be the case were the stock¬ 
ing thicker, and a close forest or plantation earlier 
obtained. By this means an undue development of the 
so-called “spring zone” in the annual wood-rings is 
brought about, and consequently the average specific 
gravity and quality of the resulting timber are much 
lowered. In addition to this, the trees do not possess 
such straight boles ; the wood contains a greater num¬ 
ber of knots, especially those most undesirable ones 
called “ loose knots” ; and the annual wood-rings are 
very much broader towards the centre than they are 
towards the periphery of the stems, and this condition, 
for many purposes, reduces the value of the timber, 
besides predisposing it to ring-shape. Where practi¬ 
cable, the best means which can be employed to attain 
the desirable closeness in the early stages of the life 
history of a wood or forest are found in well-arranged 
systems of natural regeneration, or in artificial sowing. 
-- 
Hardening Miscellany. 
The Poisonous Primula obconica. 
I WAS very much pleased to read the warning to gar¬ 
deners concerning the poisonous properties of Primula 
obconica, in your issue of November 2nd, for it lifted 
a great weight off my mind. I have suffered in the 
same way as your correspondent “X.,” but in a much 
intensified form. The inflammation and irritation 
appeared periodically as in his case, but I was at a loss 
to account for it before. Seeing the statement of 
“X., ’ however, I referred back and found that my 
troubles commenced last June, about the same time 
that I potted a large batch of P. obconica. I have 
had the plants under my charge ever since, having to 
pick the flowers from them each day, and occasionally 
the dead leaves. Possibly this accounts for the 
poisoning in my case getting worse and worse. I have 
been to a skin hospital and have consulted a private 
doctor, who told me that he thought it was a peculiar 
kind of eczema, but the medicine and lotion he gave 
me only made it worse. Since that time it has ap¬ 
peared in my eyes, nose, and on my lips, no doubt 
from rubbing or touching them after picking the 
flowers. It has been so bad as to keep me awake three 
successive nights, the fearful burning sensation driving 
me nearly crazy. I can quite understand “X.” saying 
that it is worse than the itch and scurvy combined. 
The same symptons have appeared on the hands of 
the florist whose duty it is to make up the flowers and 
prepare them for market, but his case is not nearly so 
bad as mine, as he does not handle the roots or leaves. 
I quite agree with your correspondent that such a 
dangerous plant should be discarded, or, at least, its 
properties strictly inquired into. — E. A. Bide, 
Warwidc Road, Acock’s Gram, Birmingham. 
Polypodium elasticum. 
The elegance of the fronds of this Mexican species 
reminds one of the finer forms of Nephrolepis, but the 
pinme are closer, narrower, and more regularly and 
compactly arranged, giving the frond a feathery-like 
appearance. In fact the plant is grown under the 
name of P. plumula, and is also sometimes named P. 
Schkuhri. One who has grown P. pectinatum, or has 
known it, would readily mistake the present one for it. 
Both are natives of Mexico, and no doubt closely allied. 
The fronds of P. elasticum are, however, the finer of 
the two, lanceolate in outline, and cut to the mid-rib 
into from 50 to 100 pairs of linear, entire pinme, that 
spread from the mid-rib horizontally. Judging from a 
plant in the tropical Fern house at Kew, it is more 
easily grown than P. pectinatum, or at all events it 
maintains a iresh appearance under the genial influences 
of a warm moist atmosphere. 
Gymnogramma Muelleri. 
The gold and silver Ferns of this genus are well known 
in gardens as well as the more recently introduced G. 
schizophylla with its finely divided fronds. Of more 
recent introduction and comparatively new is the 
subject under notice, and quite distinct. The fronds 
are simply pinnate with broad ovate segments. Those 
on the upper surface are bright green, but studded all 
over with scattered, ovate, silvery scales of such a size 
as to give the fronds a spotted or almost variegated 
appearance. The under surface is densely coated with 
rust-coloured scales, almost completely hiding the 
fructification except on close inspection. The sori are 
arranged along the veins, but are so closely packed that 
when full grown they form a confluent mass encircling 
tho pinna; towards the margin. The position of this 
broad band may be readily recognised by its darker 
appearance than the central portion of the pinna;. The 
species is evidently of dwarf habit, for a plant in the 
tropical Fern house at Kew is only about a foot in 
height, the fronds being seldom over and generally 
under that height. Small pieces were sent to Kew 
from Australia about two or three years ago, and are 
now very pretty and very distinct from everything else. 
Late Peas. 
Peas at the end of October or beginning of November 
are seldom of good quality, whatever the sorts may be. 
We gathered our last dish from Autocrat on the 2nd 
inst., which was a month later than last year, when 
everything was ruthlessly cut down besides Peas on 
October 2nd. A vigorous and sturdy habit of growth 
is a capital recommendation for a late-cropping variety, 
and a potent factor against mildew, which always lays 
siege to the weaker-growing sorts. Late Peas must be 
kept healthy and vigorous by means of nourishing 
support, and by allowing plenty of room between the 
rows, for nothing removes condensation quicker than 
plenty of air. As the best two tall sorts, I am partial 
to the old Ne Plus Ultra and British Queen ; and for 
dwarfs I like Autocrat, Jubilee, and Carter’s Satisfac¬ 
tion. These are wonderful Peas when well done.— 
B. L. 
Cordyline indivisa vera. 
The leaves of this distinct variety are more leathery 
and less gracefully drooping than those of the typical 
form ; but the drooping character is more than compen¬ 
sated by the beautiful colouration of the foliage. The 
ground-work is of a deep green, contrasting strongly 
with tho venation, which is of a deep orange. The 
piineipal veins, as in most monocotyledonous plants, 
run parallel throughout the length of the leaves, and 
in this case they are numerous, and make their presence 
felt bv their conspicuously bright colour. The leaves 
attain a length of 2 ft. to 5 ft., and from 2 ins. to 4 ins. 
wide, so that when seen in good condition, it really 
forms a handsome plant. In its native country, New 
Zealand, the unbranched stem, bearing a crown of leaves 
on the top, varies from 2 ft. to 5 ft. in height. It is 
stated to be more difficult to cultivate and maintain in 
health than the typical form, which may be the reason 
for its seldom appearing in British gardens, a matter 
which is greatly to be regretted, considering its hand¬ 
some character. When grown under glass it should be 
kept perfectly cool. A fine plant may be seen in a 
border by the Fern houses at Kew, and which has 
stood there unprotected for the past two winters. The 
leaves are about 2J ft. long and 2 ins. wide, 
beautifully coloured, and form a large and compact 
tuft, springing from the, as yet, very short stem. 
There are many sheltered and warm places in the south 
and west of this country where its cultivation might be 
attempted in the same way. 
Single-handed G-ardeners. 
I think, with “ A Single-handed Gardener, Aberdeen,” 
that this class of men in the north are, as a whole, very 
industrious, and produce wonderful results, taking 
into consideration the additional work they have added 
to their regular duties, such as looking after a pony, a 
cow, running errands, cleaning boots, and a score of 
other odd demands which trouble the single-handed 
gardener. I think there are good practical°gardeners 
and men of great experience to be found amongst 
them ; and there are some who, in addition to this 
experience, have had a good sound education, who 
are quite capable of managing a large establishment, if 
they had the opportunity. When, however, a man is 
down, he must, in nine cases out of ten, remain there, 
whatever his abilities may be. He is looked upon by 
those who are in superior situations as an inferior 
being, in spite of his knowledge and character. Mr. 
Editor, could you open out a way to success for the 
diligent and industrious single-handed gardener ?— S. 
Heaton. [Would that we could do so ; the service 
should be cheerfully rendered. It is obvious to those 
who read our remarks carefully that no aspersions or 
slights were intended to be cast on the better men. 
We all know that there are able, industrious men 
among the class to which we referred, and, dealing 
with the good and the bad, it would be manifestly 
unfair and ungenerous to tar all with the same brush. 
Certainly, we had no such intention. The facts of the 
case, as regards the majority, however, are, we believe, 
to be as we stated them, and no amount of personal 
