378 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
February ll, 1899. 
to properly understand them. A few, however, 
ought to be recorded here. Take, for instance, 
P. angulare var. " Mayi Micklethwait,” a plumoso- 
divisilobe variety with imbricate, or over-lapping 
pinnae. This is such an enormous advance, in point 
of foliaceousness, on the wild originals, that Mr. 
Moly, a Fern specialist, has described it as " the 
finest British Fern yet raised.' 1 There are numerous 
other hybrid, crossed, or highly-developed forms of 
superb appearance, whose names were noted; but as 
these are for the most part commemorative, they do 
not convey an inkling of their beauty. 
But the creme dc la creme of the planted out varie¬ 
ties, which are so jealously guarded in this high 
wal!ed-in garden, are surely the innumerable and 
wonderful forms of the common Hartstongue (Scolo- 
pendrium vulgare). These various forms may be 
said to be more or less branched, crested, con¬ 
glomerated, sagittated, undulated, truncated, ay, and 
even variegated. All these forms, however, marvel¬ 
lous though they be, must give way before the 
plumoso-crispum section, the fronds of which are not 
only regularly and beautifully frilled, but these frills 
are again and again divided until the fimbriations, 
which result, are impossible of description. As no 
one can conceive the indescribable, so no one can 
comprehend the marvellous beauty of these fully- 
developed Scolopendriums without the receptivity 
of the brain through the medium of the eyes. 
As, also, on the occasions of the British Associa¬ 
tion’s meeting recently, at Bristol, Mr. Lowe was 
awarded several certificates for some of these afore¬ 
said crispums. It must further be granted that 
novelty and rarity, as well as surpassing beauty, has 
resulted to Mr. Lowe as a consequence of his untiring 
efforts in the crossing and re-crossing of these his 
favourite plants. 
For a fine crispum, named Mrs. Douton, and for a 
hybrid variety called Prof. Marshall Ward, Mr. 
Lowe received special recognition. Crosses I can 
understand, and multiple parentage, but the hybrid 
Scolopendrium forms are, as yet, to me an unknown 
quantity. To be practical, however, I will just 
notice a few of the finer varieties which obtain and 
which contribute largely to make this a veritable 
Fern Paradise. Several of the finest of these have 
been found growing wild, so there is still hope for 
the persistent searcher. Scolopendrium vulgare 
crispum Cowburni is one of these; S. v. c. Bow- 
doni, is another ; S. v. c. Drummondae, ditto ; S. v. 
c. Stablerae, likewise; S. v, c. Willsii, too, must not 
be omitted ; and as all these are fine and distinct 
forms of the original type, it will readily be conceded 
that these alone would form an admirable nucleus 
for the young beginner. But as the Hartstongue is 
given to much sporting, and is very protean in 
character, it follows that the variations from the 
specific type are almost endless; in fact, Mr. Lowe 
has described, in his valuable hand-book, no less 
than 450 of these variations. As this was published 
in 1891, and as Mr. Lowe and others have been 
working successfully at them since that time, it does 
not, therefore, represent the full capacity of our 
native Fern. The most interesting plant from an 
historical point of view, is a crispum, which belonged 
to Linneus, the father of botany—the man is known 
only by his works; the plant is still in the vegetable 
flesh ! 
Leaving then, very reluctantly, this unique collec¬ 
tion of Scolopendriums, we come to the Polypodies, 
which occupy a large frame-like house close by. 
Here they seem to revel in the greatest luxuriance 
as, indeed, they excel, in vigour and beauty, any¬ 
thing I have ever seen in the Polypody line. They 
are not, however, planted out as one might expect, 
and as they appear to be, but the pots and pans are 
plunged up to their rims in half-decayed leaves 
which doubtless accounts for the excellent condition 
in which I found them. Plenty of air is given on all 
occasions and, otherwise, it is quite evident that the 
culture accords with their requirements. 
The varieties of the common Polypody are very 
numerous and prove again, if proof were needed, 
what specialists can do in almost any direction where 
their interest lies. So here we have many-fronded 
forms, all more or less lacerated, crested, forked, or 
feathered ; and some, even which will not readily 
admit of classification. But, I think, the plumos e 
forms after all constitute the most perfect and the 
most symmetrically beautiful plants in this genus, as 
in other genera, for the divisions are so fine, regular, 
and lace-like, as to recommend themselves to the 
least of casual observers. Moreover, too, Nature 
seems to have been led away from her normal 
course—reproduction—inasmuch as nearly all these 
very highly-developed forms are quite sterile and, 
therefore, propagation has to be effected in a round¬ 
about way. However, some of the most striking 
varieties here were P. v. cambricum, Fosteri, 
Prestoni, cornubiense, etc., which are not only grand 
specimens of the " many-footed ” Fern, but which— 
especially the latter—even ape the Killarney Fern 
itself. 
Another structure—a vinery—was crowded with 
Adiantums in variety, as well as in specific form, 
with some other rare or curious plants. That the Vines 
are considered as mediums only for the purpose of 
shade, a glance at the roof will surely confirm, for the 
state of the fruit there exhibited goes to show that 
the Ferns have the first consideration. The genus 
Adiantum is a large and varied one, but, beautiful as 
are some of the stove and greenhouse species and 
hybrids, the plumose and imbricate varieties of our 
A. Capillus-Veneris—the British Maidenhair—want 
a lot of beating. 
Another feature of this interesting Fern garden is 
a collection of Filmies, which are grown under some¬ 
what peculiar conditions; these conditions however, 
are evidently to the liking of the occupants, for the 
specimens are worth going a long way to see. They 
occupy a sunken pit, about five feet deep, the sides 
of which are built of brick to the level of the ground ; 
over this the frame-lights are placed, and these are 
covered with Willesden scrim to afford the necessary 
shade. The lights are lifted daily in summer time 
and a fine spray is distributed over the Ferns. No 
artificial heat is used while a humid atmosphere is 
maintained, the resultant growth being vigorous and 
admirable in every way. The dark olive green 
colour of the Killarney Ferns (Trichomanes radicans) 
is very conspicious, while their pellucid appearance 
and membranaceous texture necessitated an atmos¬ 
phere surcharged with moisture. Given these 
conditions their culture is of the simplest, as they 
require little attention, many of these lovely Filmy 
Ferns, in fact, not having been repotted for over 
twenty years! 
The most interesting house, perhaps, is the one 
where the spores are raised, and where the sporelings 
are tested and scrutunised with the keenest eye. 
Here pots and pans, with their curious contents in 
all stages of development, demanded more inquiry 
than time would permit. Suffice it to say that 
much of Mr. Lowe’s scientific work commences 
here ; that from the tiny spore, and through the protb- 
alloid conditions to the baby frond, is often a long time; 
that much patience is demanded ; that selection has 
to be severely practised ; and that many other things 
have to be taken into account that the "fittest” 
from a pteridological point of view—may be given 
a chance to survive. Much else of the greatest 
moment to Fern lovers obtains in this house and this 
garden ; but as, I fear, I have already transgressed 
the limits of space, I will only just note a few special 
subjects in the world of flowers. 
To show the many-sided nature of Mr. Lowe's 
experiments, I must mention that animals as well as 
plants receive his consideration, and that two or 
three crosses of the former owe their existence to him ; 
while as to the latter, the herbaceous borders will 
bring ample ^ evidence. Michaelmas Daisies are 
grown in large quantities, and many seedlings are 
now on trial. At the lime of my visit these star-like 
flowers presented many hues and quite a gorgeous 
sight. 
The Incense plant, too, was pointed out—a species 
of Pyrethrum — and is stated to be a piece of the 
original plant from the gardens of the Vatican ; also 
Helonias bullata, another uncommon hardy herba¬ 
ceous plant, a native of North America. A species 
of Paeony, which was found by Mr. Lowe on the 
Steep Holmes, is of great interest; while hybrids 
between a Dahlia and a Sunflower, if they have not 
resulted in general acceptance, show that a good deal 
of cross-fertilisation is going on here, and that a 
large array of plants is under supervision. 
In crossing Dahlias alone Mr. Lowe has been more 
successful, for the single Cactus Dahlia, a new and 
very pretty type, originated in this variegated garden. 
Meteorlogical observations are also crrried on here, 
and much other work of a botanical and horticultural 
character; in fact, a garden like this is so unique 
and so all-absorbing that it must be re-visited again 
and again, before a full compliment of its value and 
interest can be properly appreciated. — C. B. G , 
Acton, W. 
EASTCLIFF, TEIGNMOUTH. 
Having half an hour to spare, when in Teignmouth 
recently, we called upon Col. Halford Thompson, 
who resides at Eastcliff, practically upon the sea 
bank. The garden itself is beautifully undulated, 
but all the flowers being then under glass, Col. 
Thompson showed us through the houses as being 
more in keeping with the season, mild as it then 
was. 
All the plants are grown in Jadoo Fibre, for the 
invention of which as a substitute for soil and as a 
fertiliser, the Colonel is responsible. The first house 
entered contained Asparagus Sprengeri, suspended 
in pots, from which the long and graceful, leafy 
stems bung down for a length of 6 ft. The small 
white flowers of this species give off a scent resemb¬ 
ling Mignonette. The red veins of the Crotons, and 
the various hues of the Dracaenas come out well 
when grown in this material. Pandanus Veitchi 
also does well. 
In the conservatory the Tacsonias were not thriv¬ 
ing satisfactorily, and the soil of the border was dug 
out, Jadoo being substituted. It was full of roots in 
the course of six weeks. Various experiments have 
proved that this material gives the best results when 
the soil is taken out and Jadoo put sufficiently far 
down to permit of a layer of the natural soil being 
put on the top, so as to preserve the moisture. Daffo¬ 
dils were doing well, the Jadoo in the pots being 
surrounded by a mass of white roots. Metrosideros 
floribunda has been grown in it for the last four or 
five years, and is still in good condition. In another 
range of low span-roofed houses show Pelargoniums 
were well furnished with roots and making vigorous 
growth. Chinese Primulas, both the typical and 
the Fern-leaved forms, were very strong, and carried 
flowers of large size and handsome colours. Solanum 
Capsicastrum was well set with berries, and Lachenal- 
ias were making vigorous growth preparatory to 
sending up their flower scapes. Richardias have 
been making their growth and flowering well in the 
same soil for the past five years in succession. In 
the fernery such things as Adiantum, Pteris, Poly¬ 
podium and Gymnogramme schizophylla gloriosa 
had given every satisfaction—indeed, the last named 
was in grand condition. Mr. Fletcher, the gardener 
in charge, has every reason to be satisfied with the 
compost ready to hand for potting and other pur¬ 
poses. 
Being the dinner hour the Jadoo factory was 
closed, so that in the limited time at command we 
were unable to inspect the premises close by the 
railway station, and the works in operation. Col. 
Thompson, however, said that the moss was boiled 
for half an hour and a little sugar and yeast were 
added to the mixture, and the fermentation set up by 
the yeast afterwards started a new life in it, in the 
way of germs that aid plant life. He considered 
that the future of Jadoo was in growing Vines in the 
open air, on account of the mass of fibrous roots they 
develop in this material. In Tobacco growing 
countries it is now being used for the cultivation of 
that plant. In the case of out-door Vines the top 
soil should be taken off, the Jadoo put in the bottom 
and the soil returned upon the top. This is to pre¬ 
vent excessive evaporation and injury to the Vine 
roots, consequent upon the drying up of the light and 
spongy Jadoo. 
The machinery and plant already in use at Teign¬ 
mouth can turn out eight tons of Jadoo per day, or 
ninety-eight tons per week on a pinch. Though the 
factory is situated here, the headquarters of Jadoo, 
Limited, are at Palace Gate, Exeter. The company 
has also a factory at Margaux, in the Medoc district 
of France. A German firm has set up an establish¬ 
ment at Breslau, Prussia giving the parent company 
a royalty for the privilege of doing so. A firm at 
Oedenberg, Hungary, also gives a royalty. An 
establishment at Reus, in Spain, is also subsidiary, 
and another at Philadelphia, U.S.A., is also in con¬ 
nection with the firm of Jadoo, Limited. The 
American establishment is even better fitted up than 
several of the others, as all the work is done by 
machinery. 
Jadoo Fibre was originally intended as a substi¬ 
tute for soil or compost, particularly in large towns 
where there was difficulty in procuring the ordinary 
article, which, being very heavy, cost a considerable 
sum for cartage. Being enriched by the addition of 
a few simple substances, and fermented by a certain 
process, it also acquired the character of a fertiliser 
