246 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
December 16, 1893. 
sufficient to insure a peremial and lasting effect; 
while if the choicer species and varieties be cultivated 
in pots or pans, the arrangement can be altered from 
time to time, and thus an ever-varying and lovely 
verdant panorama will constantly unfold. A 
charming effect may be produced, and with less 
trouble, by throwing together in " wild confusion ” 
a series of different-sized stones, with the necessary 
pockets for the smaller growing kinds, and perma¬ 
nently planting out. Due regard, however, must be 
had to the disposition of the Ferns—the deciduous 
and evergreen being duly compounded. 
In my own case, I adopt the more troublesome 
method of pot and basket culture; which, though 
more laborious, has many compensating advantages, 
for specimens can be removed at any time to 
decorate the fire-place, the dinner table, or ihe 
window. An out-door rockery of some kind is indis¬ 
pensable, and we cannot do better than take as our 
model that admirable one at Kew. Almost every 
garden possesses an unlovely spot which will be 
improved and beautified by the addition of a little 
rockery. Mr. Heath, before quoted, says that, 
'* Ferns love to grow where the land is musical with 
running water,” which is perfectly true as well as 
poetical; but as we cannot introduce wild nature 
into our little paradises, we must be satisfied with 
the gentle murmur of a fountain. 
Ferns out-of-doors are necessarily more robust in 
constitution, not to say coarse in character , and 
resemble, if I may be permitted to say so, those sun¬ 
burnt individuals who live entirely in the open air. 
And although these enjoy, probably, the best of rude 
health, they can hardly be compared to their more 
refined and beautiful sisters, who give us so much 
more trouble under glass. 
Nomenclature. 
The classification of Ferns, like everything else, 
seems to be a necessity of this scientific age ; there¬ 
fore without science we cannot proceed. May we 
not, then, exclaim with Mackay:— 
“ Blessings on Science ! When the earth seemed 
old. 
When faith grew doting, and our reason cold, 
’Twas she discovered that the world was young. 
And taught a language to its lisping tongue.” 
Science, then, although it is responsible for the 
destruction of many a poetical myth or beautiful 
fable, is yet, in itself, far more fascinating than the 
fairy tales which have succumbed to its penetration ; 
for, according to Sir John Lubbock, ” the real 
causes of natural phenomena are far more striking, 
and contain more true poetry, than those which 
have occurred to the untrained imagination of man¬ 
kind.” But science, even the science of language, 
is a great stumbling block to the uninitiated; 
although the difficulty must be surmounted if we 
would approach the various questions of the day 
with any degree of accuracy. As there are no two 
individual things alike in creation, it follows that the 
more salient features must be noted and distinguished 
—hence we have what is called nomenclature, or a 
system of naming. As all plants fall into classes or 
groups, a distinctive name is applied to each, other¬ 
wise confusion and misunderstanding would ensue. 
In the matter of Ferns some confusion still exists, 
for botanists are not yet agreed as to the particular 
name which shall be applied to a particular plant. 
Take, as an instance the common Male-fern, which 
has received no less than forty-seven designations ! 
When doctors differ, may not gardeners disagree ? 
Referring to the Fern Conference held at Chiswick 
in J uly, 1890, in connection with the subject of names, 
an editorial article in the Gardeners’ Chronicle of that 
date declares that ” the nomenclature of Ferns has 
now become a nuisance of the first magnitude.” So 
it would seem that even amongst the elite of horti¬ 
culture there is some dissatisfaction felt at the 
imposing array of names attached to some of our 
beautiful varieties of British Ferns. 
The particular Fern—or rather the series of 
particular names — which called forth the above 
remarks, was a very fine plumose variety of the Soft 
Shield Fern exhibited at the Conference by Dr. 
Lowe, and named ” Polystichum Angulare var. 
divisilobum, sub-var. plumosum, sub-sub-var. 
densum.” The name of this remarkable Fern, how¬ 
ever, cannot detract from its marvellous beauty, 
for it is more like the plumage of a bird-of-paradise 
than anything else that I can conceive ; colour alone 
excepted. Other equally beautiful British Ferns— 
many of them with equally alarming titles — were on 
view. But to attempt to describe their wondrous 
forms, their diversified ramifications, would be 
equally futile, as it is equally foreign, to this short 
essay. Suffice it to say that description, however 
verbose, could not do them justice—they must be 
seen to be appreciated. 
The faults of nomenclature—which can be 
pardoned in the presence of so much beauty—seem 
to arise through too great a desire to give a history 
of the plant; whereas in the case of our own 
individual species the designation of John Smith, or 
Tom Jones, is usually sufficient, without going into 
other details connected with his ancestry, his size or 
his disposition. It would, however, be no reform to 
abolish Latin names altogether ; they are a necessity, 
for they appeal alike to learned men of all nationali¬ 
ties. What would you think, for instance, if a new 
variety of the Hartstongue were dubbed Scolopen- 
drium vulgare var. Mrs. Gubbins, because that lady 
had found it ? No ; we cannot abolish the old ; but we 
may reform the new. 
This is merely thrown out as a hint to our great 
Fern specialists, who, I trust, will before long come 
to our rescue in this matter. 
It is reported of Mr. Barnes that when he dis¬ 
covered the variety of Lastrea montaaa which bears 
his name, he was so overcome by his feelings that, 
at first, he was quite incapable of digging it up. 
Now that has never been my experience. When I 
discovered what I am pleased to call Athyrium or 
Asplenium Filix-foemina plumosum Greenii, I could 
not transfer it to my wallet with sufficient speed. 
Herein you will observe that dispositions differ, but 
you will also observe that Mr. Barnes’ desire to possess 
his ” find ” ultimately overcame his feelings ; so that 
the difference in disposition was one of degree only. 
The classification of Ferns, as carried out at Kew, 
although in some respects at variance with the 
generally accepted garden nomenclature, will be my 
guide in the naming of the species hereafter to be 
dealt with, because I look to Kew to lead, to en¬ 
lighten, to befriend. 
{To he continued.) 
- ^ - 
Iardening Miscellany. 
cjo -yto 
THE GARDENING CHARITIES. 
The Reigate and District Chrysanthemum Society 
has accomplished another year’s useful work in 
connection with the gardening charities, for in 
addition to the thirty guineas given to the Gardeners’ 
Royal Benevolent Institution as announced in your 
last week's issue the committee has also handed 
twenty pounds to the Royal Gardeners’ Orphan 
Fund. Apart from this the committee are enabled 
to offer a substantial prize list, and the spirited 
competition which ensues is a further proof, not 
only of the good work the society is doing financially, 
but of the increased number of growers of our queen 
of winter flowers. The indefatigable hon. sec., Mr. 
J. Brown, backed up by a hard-working committee, 
deserve great praise for their work, for during the 
five years this Society has been established no less a 
sum than /zgg los. has been given to charities.— 
Harry Bailey. 
GARDEN REFUSE. 
Seemingly valueless, and yet of some considerable 
fertilizing powers, all garden refuse should be care¬ 
fully stored or burnt. Clean weeds, by which are 
meant seedlings in a young state, will be better if 
rotted down; but Docks, Thistles, Cooch Grass, 
Barebind, and others which come up with such per¬ 
sistency had far better be burnt with the hedge 
clippings. This is about the only safe way of killing 
them, and the resulting ashes are very useful for 
Carrots, Beet, Parsnip, Onions, and other crops. 
There are not many which do not enjoy a liberal 
dressing of ashes and burnt soil obtained in this 
way. Then we have a large accumulation of green 
vegetable refuse, and as this gives forth an un¬ 
pleasant and unhealthy smell while decaying, I like 
to turn it up with other manures and so get a quick 
decomposition. A little lime will hasten this, and 
also make the whole sweeter and more valuable. A 
good manager will not only have all the garden 
precincts and odd corners clean and sweet, but will 
work in such a manner that this is accomplished 
while providing some valuable composts for future 
use. A good mixture of decayed leaves, clean 
weeds, the charred refuse and ashes from a fire 
made of the hedge clippings, stalks of Cabbages, an 
occasional clearing out of ditches, &c., &c., forms 
one of the best potting composts for general culture 
it is possible to have. Turned over a few times, and 
a little fresh lime added, all it then needs is sand or 
other porous material in proportion to the wants of 
the subject to be potted. Roses, Pelargoniums, 
Cinerarias, and heaps of others will thrive in this 
alone, while there is nothing more suitable for the 
Carnation than this with a larger amount of burnt 
soil.— Experience. 
MIGNONETTE. 
There are very few persons who do not enjoy the 
sweet perfume of this flower, if a few plants are 
wanted early in the spring the seed should be sown 
now, or at the latest, early in the year. Prepare a 
few pots with a compost of rich loam, giving them 
good drainage and placing a little soot upon the 
coarser portions of the latter. A good proportion of 
burnt earth is very favourable to healthy growth in 
the Mignonette. If the pots can be plunged in to agentle 
bottom-heat until the seed has germinated, it will be 
a decided advantage. Watering will need very careful 
attention, because the seedlinga are apt to damp off. 
When they are some inch or so high, stand them on 
a shelf close to the glass. Mignonette should always 
be sown in the pots they are to bloom in, as few 
seedlings are more impatient of transplantation. If 
kept in a temperature of 45° to 50° they will do 
better than in one 10° higher. A little lime rubbish, 
i.e., broken mortar from an old w'all, is one of the 
most valuable ingredients you can mix with the 
compost for Mignonette. As the season advances 
they should have plenty of air. I know of no better 
place for them than a pit having a two-inch hot 
water pipe running around it. This keeps away damp, 
and secures a medium temperature. One can also 
afford air almost all weathers. When the seedlings 
have advanced to four or five inches in heighth, 
liquid manure will be a great assistance. A little 
pure coal soot placed in a bag, and then allowed to 
soak in some soft water, will be the best you can 
choose. This gives colour to the foliage, and if 
used about the colour of sherry it is the most suit¬ 
able of all liquid manures. A few pots may be 
brought on more rapidly by taking them to a 
warm greenhouse after the flower trusses first 
appear, but they will always be better, and, I think, 
sweeter scented under cooler treatment. Thin the 
young seedlings out to three and five in a pot as soon 
as they are an inch high, and secure from damp.—- 
Experience. 
--*•- 
NEW CHRYSANTHEMUMS. 
The new varieties of plants, including Chrysanthe¬ 
mums, brought up for the inspection of the Floral 
Committee of the National Chrysanthemum Society 
on the 5th, 6th, and 7th inst., were much less 
numerous than on former occasions—a fact which 
would seem to indicate that there are no more 
surprises in store for Chrysanthemum lovers this 
year. A group of Amaryllis demonstrated what can 
be done in the way of forcing that gorgeous class of 
plants for Christmas decoration, or even for 
occasions long prior to that event. The under¬ 
mentioned subjects were honoured with First-class 
Certificates. 
Chrysanthemum Col. T. C. Bourne. —The 
flowers of this variety have drooping florets some¬ 
what in the style of Madamoiselle Lacroix, but 
longer, broader, and of a rich crimson, with a 
nankin-yellow reverse. It is of English origin and 
belongs to the Japanese section. The exhibitor and 
raiser was Mr. Robert Owen, Castle Hill, Maiden¬ 
head. 
Chrysanthemum Lord Rosebery. —This seed¬ 
ling incurved variety is evidently to be a good thing 
and to furnish flowers over a long period in autumn 
and early winter. It is considerably larger than 
Violet Tomlin, but similar in colour. Mr. Robert 
Owen was the exhibitor. 
Chrysanthemum Judge Hoite.— For description 
of this Japanese Anemone, see p. 225. It was 
shown by Mr. H. J. Jones, Hither Green. 
Lewisham. 
Amaryllis Mr. Charles Davis.— The flowers of 
this variet} are large, funnel-shaped, and of a rich, 
scarlet with a white throat; they are also regular 
