October 20, 1894. 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
125 
states that the fronds of this Fern frequently attain 
the length of io ft. I certainly have heard of them 
exceeding 6 ft., but have not seen such gigantic 
specimens as these.— Filices. 
GLORIOSA ABYSSINICA. 
Three good species of Gloriosa are known to 
science, but that under notice does not seem to have 
been hitherto introduced to European cultivation. 
It is a native of Abyssinia, whereas the well-known 
G. superba comes from Malabar. It grows to a 
height of 6 ft. or thereby when grown in a large pot, 
tub or vase, and flowers in June. The flowers are 
large, very beautiful, and rosy-scarlet margined with 
green. The Bulletin*) della R. Societa Toscana di Orti- 
cultura describes it as a magnificent acquisition, 
recording it amongst the new bulbous and rhizoma- 
tous plants for 1894. Seeing that it has found its way 
to Italy and flowered there, we may expect to see it 
in this country before very long. 
TULIPA CHRYSANTHA. 
This Persian species is evidently a highly desirable 
species for garden cultivation. Though it has been 
described for some time, it does not seem to have 
been introduced to this country, but is recorded 
amongst the new bulbous and rhizomatous plants for 
1894 by the Italian journal, Bulletino della R. Societa 
Toscana di Orticultura. Though just introduced to 
that country it is still rare in cultivation. The flowers 
are of a uniform and magnificent yellow colour with¬ 
out spots or blotches at the base of the segments. It 
requires to be grown in rich sandy soil and flowers 
in the month of March, but in all probability would 
be a month later in our climate. The flowers are 
sweetly scented like those of a rose, and in that 
respect recall the odour of our native species, Tulipa 
sylvatica. 
PLEROMA MACRANTHUM. 
Pleroma macranthum —or, to give it its com¬ 
moner name, Lasiandra macrantha—is a plant, 
the beauty and effectiveness of which cannot well be 
over-praised. Its large violet-purple flowers 
are produced at a season of the year that renders 
them particularly valuable. Batches of small plants 
in pots may be had in bloom from late autumn to 
spring, although the true character of the plant is 
better shown when it is permanently planted out in 
the greenhouse or cool stove, and trained against 
pillars, rafters, etc. Under these circumstances it 
flowers even more profusely than in a small state. 
It is of very easy culture, is not particular as 
to soil, and will thrive almost anywhere. Propaga¬ 
tion may be readily effected by means of cuttings, 
which will strike easily during almost any season of 
the year if placed in a gentle heat in a close frame. 
The larger-flowered variety, Pleroma, m. floribun- 
dum, is even better suited for cultivation in pots 
than the type. Its flowers are very large and of a 
vivid violet-blue colour. Young plants in pots will 
bloom when only a few inches in height, and it is 
really amazing to note the large flowers borne by 
such diminutive subjects—they seem out of all pro¬ 
portion when the extreme smallness of the plants 
are taken into consideration. P. m. floribundum, 
like the type, is a Brazilian plant, but is of much 
later introduction (1870), although it bids fair to 
outstrip it in the race for popularity. 
COCKROACHES. 
Of all the enemies which do their utmost to spoil 
the work and bring to nought the exertions of the 
gardener none are more indefatigable in their efforts 
to attain this end than the cockroaches. Just as our 
favourite plants, after a deal of care and attention 
have been lavished upon them, are throwing up new 
growths, and we are congratulating ourselves that 
our efforts are about to be suitably rewarded, than 
the work of weeks, or it may be months, is destroyed 
in a single night through the inquisitive propensities 
of a vulgar cockroach. This is, to say the least of it, 
terribly provoking and disheartening. Nor are the 
ravages of these pests confined to one class of plants 
alone. Nothing seems to come amiss to them, 
whether it be stove foliage plants, Ferns or 
Orchids, all seem to be suitable foraging grounds. 
They multipy with extraordinary rapidity, and it 
becomes necessary, therefore, to devise some means 
for their rapid extermination. The old-fashioned 
beetle-traps are of but little use—a much better plan 
is to use poison. If a quantity of phosphorus paste 
be spread upon pieces of slate, card-board, &c., and 
these scattered about the last thing at night, in the 
bouses they visit, the poison will be greedily devoured 
—the result of course being death to those who taste 
it. Their dead bodies will be found lying about in all 
directions in the morning. These should not be re¬ 
moved, for, if left, the living beetles will feed upon 
their dead brethren, and will most assuredly pay the 
penalty for so doing. As a rule, more in proportion 
will be found dead on the second day after tine laying 
down of the poison, than on the first.— G. 
LAPAGERIAS. 
That no great amount of root room is required to 
enable these beautiful plants to produce abundance 
of flower is evidenced by a cool house at Greenlands, 
Henley-on-Thames, which is at present affording a 
brave show. The plants, contrary to the custom 
which usually obtains in very many gardens, are 
grown in pots, and although they do not produce 
such strong growths and large vigorous leaves as 
they do when planted out in specially prepared beds 
or borders, their flowering qualities at all events do 
not seem to be in the least affected. The house in 
which they are grown is a lean-to of no great size, 
having a northern aspect, and certainly could not 
possibly be put to greater advantage than it is at 
present, filled as it is with these fine old garden 
favourites.— G. 
HIPPOPHAE RHAMNOIDES. 
More use might be made by gardeners, than at 
present, of this useful shrub. The effect produced 
at this season of the year, by its bright orange 
coloured berries, in conjunction with its glaucous 
foliage, more than counterbalances the loss of its 
leaves and consequent barrenness, during the winter 
months; moreover, the ease with which it can be 
propagated, aed the manner in which it will accommo¬ 
date itself to almost any situstion and soil; should 
obtain for it a more favourable position with the 
gardening faculty, than it at present enjoys.— 
SPIRAEA ARGUTA. 
The above name has been given to a hybrid Spiraea 
obtained from S. Thunbergii crossed with the 
pollen of another species at the School of Forestry, 
Muuden (Hanover). Judging by a specimen of it 
(says the Bulletin d'Arboriculture) which flowered last 
spring in the Arnold Arboretum the plant will be a 
happy addition to the early flowering species. The 
branches, slender and gracefully recurved, are 
covered with numerous sessile umbels of flowers 
like those of S. Thunbergii. As to the leaves they are 
shorter, broader, less abundant, and do not take on 
the brilliant colouring of S. Thunbergii in the 
autumn. Our readers will remember that the last- 
named is amongst the few species which expand 
their flowers very early in spring before the leaves 
are put out and that the flowers in this case have 
the additional merit of being scented like the 
Hawthorn. The name arguta applied to the hybrid 
is considered not to be very appropriate. 
GLOXINIAS PLANTED OUT. 
It is so customary to see these in pots that few ever 
try the expediency of growing them planted out. 
The plan would answer for various decorative 
purposes, and for growing on seedlings with a small 
amount of trouble so as to get good tubers for the 
following season. We noted a large batch recently 
that had been treated in this way in the nursery of 
Messrs. J. Laing & Sons, Forest Hill. They were 
planted in some frames by the side of the Begonia 
houses, and made very satisfactory growth. There 
were some pretty varieties amongst them, including 
a shade of blue, and blue and purple edged with 
white, also scarlet, red and crimson with a white 
edge. All were erect, regularly funnel-shaped and 
in some cases they had a remarkably wide tube. 
Some of the paler varieties were also good. In a 
house close by was a large batch of Streptocarpus, 
the flowers of which were chiefly notable for 
their size. Some of them were dark sky-blue, 
violet purple, and light blue. All were more 
or less banded in the throat with violet purple, 
sometimes running down the lower lip forming 
blotches. Less common, yet forming a good 
sprinkling, were the rose, pink, white and other soft 
colours with the usual stripes in the throat more or 
less pronounced. These were sown in January, and 
though only in 60 size pots showed what can be 
done with them in such restricted root room. The 
continuous flowering, the small amount of attention 
they require, and their showy character are all 
points in the favour of Streptocarpus. 
SOCIETIES. 
The National Chrysanthemum Society held its early 
autumn exhibition on October 10th, nth, & 12th, at 
the Royal Aquarium. A fair number of visitors 
attended, although their number was undoubtedly 
considerably lessened by the unpropitious weather 
that prevailed on the opening day. The exhibits in 
the special classes were (all things considered) as 
good as those of the October show last year, but as 
usual the show was greatly augmented and rendered 
attractive by the number and excellence of the mis¬ 
cellaneous exhibits of hardy cut flowers, Dahlias, 
foliage plants and by several fine collections of fruit 
and vegetables. 
In the open classes, Mr. W. Wells, Earlswood 
Nurseries, Redhill, Surrey, took first prize for a 
group of Chrysanthemums and foliage plants 
arranged for effect, and filling a space of not less 
than seventy-two superficial feet. Fine flowers of 
Charles Davis, W. H. Lincoln, and Frank Wells 
were specially prominent in this group. The second 
prize in this class went to Mr. G. Stevens, St. John’s 
Nursery, Putney, S..W, 
In a class for twenty-four blooms of the Japanese 
section, comprising not less than eighteen varieties, 
and not more than two blooms of any one variety, 
Mr. W. Wells again carried off first honours with a 
very fine lot of blooms (for the earliness of the season). 
He had excellent samples of sorts like Mdle. Therese 
Rey, Professor Whitmack, Ed. Molyneux, Miss 
Dorothy Frankland, Mrs. E. W. Clarke, W. H. 
Lincoln, and Kentish Yellow. Mr. W. Collins, 
gardener to J. W. Carlile, Esq., Ponsbourne Park, 
Hertford, came second, fine blooms of Madame C. 
Molin, Mdle. Therese Rey being special features of 
his collection, Mr. Chas. Cox, gardener to J. Trotter, 
Esq., Brickenden Grange, Hertford, taking third 
position. Mr. E. Rowbottom, gardener to H. R. 
Williams, Esq., The Priory, Hornsey, N., had the 
best twelve blooms of Japanese distinct. He showed 
very good samples of Primrose League, Puritan, 
Louise, and Mrs. E. W. Clarke. The second prize 
fell to Mr. W. Wells, who had good blooms of Edwin 
Molyneux and John Shrimpton ; the third to 
Mr. W. Collins, Mr. E. Rowbottom had the best 
twelve blooms of the incurved section, Mr. J. Agate 
Nurseryman, Havant, Hants, taking second place. 
Miss Debenham, St. Peters, Herts, took prizes for 
twelve bunches of Pompon Chrysanthemums, com¬ 
prising not less than six varieties, also for six bunches 
of Pompons, distinct. 
In the classes for amateurs and single-handed 
gardeners, there were very few exhibits, and the 
material shown boasted of no great attraction. In 
the amateurs’ division Mr. William Amies, South 
Ashford, Kent, took first prize for six blooms of 
Japanese Chrysanthemums, whilst in the classes 
for single-handed gardeners, Mr. E. Tukner, gardener 
to John Watney, Esq., Shermanbury House, Reigate, 
took first for twelve blooms of Japanese, distinct, a 
like place being taken by Mr. J. Knaggs, gardener to 
F. W. Amsden, Esq., 22, Chichester Road, Croydon, 
Surrey, for six blooms of the Incurved section. In 
a special class for six blooms, distinct, of new varieties 
(open) the prizes in which were given by Mr. H. J. 
Jones, Ryecroft Nursery, Hither Green, Lewisham, 
Mr. W. Wells took first prize, showing fine blooms 
of Chas. Davis, Wm Seward, Frank Wells, and Miss 
Dorothy Shea; Mr. James Agate won the second 
prize. Keener competition obtained in the classes 
for floral decorations. In a class for a Table of 
bouquets, wreaths, sprays, etc., to illustrate the 
decorative value of Chrysanthemums, Mr. J. R. 
Chard, Brunswick Nursery, Stoke Newington, 
carried off the first award with a tasteful arrange¬ 
ment of Chrysanthemums, Asparagus, and Fern 
fronds, Mr. J R. Chard, also had the best three 
epergnes of Chrysanthemums, suitable for table 
decoration. P'or a vase of Chrysanthemums suitably 
arranged for table decoration (the trade excluded) 
Mr. E. Becket, Aldenham House, Elstree, Herts, took 
the first place. 
In the miscellanous classes, Mr. W. J. Godfrey, 
Exmouth, Devon, staged a fine collection of cut 
