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THE GARDENING WORLD 
April 29, 1899. 
The Olive Tree comes into full bearing when fifteen 
years old. 
Fragments—The hybridist evidently does not note 
all his crosses. Recently a lady and her husband 
were visiting a botanical garden. In one of the 
plant houses JLygodium scandens was observed. 
This climbing Fern greatly puzzled the good man. 
His wife, (perhaps she was a lady gardener) quickly 
informed him that it was the result of a cross between 
a “creeping thing ” and “ a Fern.” 
Odontoglossum crispum.—This species of Odonto- 
glot still continues amongst the foremost of favourites, 
and fine varieties continue to turn up to gratify the 
prevailing desire. Messrs. McBean & Sons, Cooks- 
bridge, Sussex, sold a finely-blotched variety the 
other week for £$6 15s. The cultivation of Orchids 
at Cooksbridge is so well understood that the plants 
are always presented in fine form before being sent 
out of the nursery. 
Fern Variation.—A correspondent writes to The 
Fern Bulletin about having found tubers on the roots 
of Nephrolepis exaltata when repotting it. If this is 
really the case it would break down one of the dis¬ 
tinguishing marks of N. cordifolia, otherwise known 
as N. tuberosa. The tubers were of all sizes up to 
| in. in diameter, and irregularly rounded. No buds 
could be discovered upon the tubers, and some of the 
largest of them which were planted did not grow. If 
they are really a means of propagation enjoyed by 
the plant, it would have three methods of repro¬ 
duction, namely, by spores, stolons, and tubers. Le 
Maout and DecaisDe mention Nephrodium esculen- 
tum, of Nepaul, as producing tubers which are eaten 
by the natives. Mr. Jenman, in his list of the Ferns 
of Jamaica, says that several species of Nephrolepis 
produce tubers. In Jamaica, Nephrolepis exaltata 
utilises its stolons for ascending the trunks of Palms 
to some considerable height, and for that reason is 
known as the Walking Fern in Jamaica. The 
editor of The Fern Bulletin asks whether any of his 
readers can furnish other instances of tubers being 
produced by Ferns. 
Syndical Chamber of Belgian Horticulturists.—At 
the meeting of this body in the Casino, Ghent, on 
April 2nd, the jury awarded Certificates of Merit to 
Cattleya Mendelii Souvenir de Mme. Frederic 
Coryn, presented by M. E. Coryn ; to Clivia Presi¬ 
dent Brunei, exhibited by M. De Vriesere-Remens ; 
to Cocos weddeliana gracillima, and Anthurium 
rothschildianum variegatum, both staged by M. A. 
De Smet; to Clivia Mme. De Vriesere-Remens, 
presented by M. De Vriesere-Remens ; to Clivia 
Mme. Jean Verbauwen, presented by M. J. 
Verbauwen (by acclamation) ; to Nicotiana affinis 
(in flower) shown by M. A. Dalliere; to Anthurium 
scherzerianum Distinction, presented by MM. Ver- 
vaene-Verraert et Cie. (with unanimity); and to 
Azalea Marie Antoinette (a sport fixed by grafting) 
shown by the St. Fiacre horticultural establishment. 
Certificates for culture and flowering were also 
granted to Oncidium lamelligerum presented by M. 
L. De Smet-Duvivier (with unanimity); and to 
Vaccinium Sprengeri, shown by M. E. De Cock. A 
Certificate for flowering was accorded to Epidendrum 
Wallisii, shown by M. L. De Smet-Duvivier. 
Development of Botany.—On the completion of the 
Genera Plantarum, by Bentham and Hooker, it was 
calculated that something under 100,000 flowering 
plants were koown to science. This was something 
over a decade ago, so that many new species have 
since been introduced. The Daily Mail says there are 
now close upon 200,000. We do not know the 
authority for the calculation, but the estimate, if by 
a botanical authority, must have been made on quite 
a different basis from that of the Genera Plantarum, 
otherwise the credited number of species could not 
have been doubled in so short a time. Hippocrates 
(500—400 B.C.) enumerated 234 species. Theo¬ 
phrastus (371—225 B.C.), a more reliable botanist, 
described about 500 species. Dioscorides (77 A D.) 
raised the number to 600, and Pliny (23—79 A.D.) 
made it 800. Ray (1685—1704) is said to have 
described 18,625 species ; but Linnaeus in 1771 is 
said to have known only 8,551 species, though he is 
admitted on all hands to have been the father of 
botany. The chief difficulty in arriving at a calcu¬ 
lation to which all botanists can agree is that no one 
has yet been able to define a species by rules that all 
botanists can accept. 
Marvel of Peru may be reared and treated generally 
as a half-hardy annual. Though really a perennial 
it may be grown from seeds every year, if sown at 
once and kept growing till the time arrives for plant¬ 
ing out. 
Daffs.—The very word gives the clue to the article, 
an article in the Journal of Greengrocery, picking up 
the merry market men's vocabulary. One of the best 
hints got from its perusal is that which states how 
easily a greenhorn could be (and is) made to pay a 
high price for whatever he might buy, simply 
because his trade neighbour’s talk is to him " Double 
Dutch." This, of course, in the case of strange 
dealers. The article spoken of, however, might 
have mentioned that abbreviated language is used in 
all horticultural sections—speaking for this trade 
only. The Pottebakkers and Van Thols are all that 
Tulip lovers ever use in speaking of these varieties. 
And what a variety of terms do the Chrysanthemum 
growers indulge in—Chrysis, Chrysanths, 'Mums, 
Japs, Queens, and such like; or the Orchidist with 
his 'Dontos and Pescatorei's and Crispums. Indeed 
if we attempted to make a compilation of abbreviated 
or “ trade ” (“ shop ”) terms we might, well, fill 
more than one column. 
Shirley Gardeners’ Mutual Improvement Associa¬ 
tion.—The syllabus of lectures for the session 1898- 
1899 is before us, as also the annual report of the 
society's affairs during the year ending December 
1898. There are 143 members’ names on the books. 
At the twelve lectures given the average attendance 
was forty-six, being an increase of three over last 
year. Two outings which the society had were most 
enjoyable, and by the goodness of three gentlemen 
of the association there is over 30s. of a balance for 
future outings. The balance sheet shows a grant 
of £48 15s. from the Southampton County Council, 
a very desirable and highly appreciated gift to this 
society. The good influence of County Councils in 
advancing horticultural interests in this way, might 
be oftener or more liberally followed. The income 
from other sources was £24 7s. 7d.,and after expenses 
are paid there remains £31 6s. iojd. to the good. 
At the annual general meeting a vote of thanks was 
accorded to The Gardening World for having 
inserted notices of the society’s monthly meetings, 
National Dahlia Society.—The annual exhibition of 
this society will be held in the Crystal Palace on 
September 1st and 2nd. To give a summary 
of this year’s arrangements we may state that the 
committee have drawn up a list of fifty “ Cactus " 
Dahlias for the purpose of drawing attention to the 
best types in the class, and also to distinguish them 
from the many so-called decorative Dahlias. The 
society, in its annual report, also makes a note on 
members' privileges. To members who subscribe 
5s., a ticket for admission to the Crystal Palace ex¬ 
hibition is allowed, and an extra ticket for every 
additional 5s.; each member also receives an official 
catalogue. The competitions are open only to mem¬ 
bers of the N.D. Society. The society publishes a 
reprint of the Dahlia analysis—1883-97—which 
appeared in the Journal of Horticulture. In the 
section for show Dahlias Mrs. Gladstone takes leading 
place, a position secured by this fine old variety 
twelve years ago. R. T. Rawlings and John Walker 
are second and third in the list of selected favourites. 
William Rawlings is the fourth in evidence, then 
Mrs. Langtry comes up close, and Colonist follows 
this latter. Other varieties follow on to the number 
of forty-ninth in position of favour, as concluded 
from the average number of times the varieties have 
been exhibited. In the fancy Dahlia section the race 
between the two old veterans, J. B. M. Camm 
and Mrs. Saunders, which for so long has been un¬ 
decided, is now conclusively won by the former. 
Then follow in respective order Duchess of Albany, 
Mrs. John Downie, Matthew Campbell, Frank 
Pearce and others. Among pompons, Bacchus, 
Nerissa, Phoebe, Tommy Keith, Arthur West, and 
G. Brickman take the best positions. And singles 
are Victoria, W. C. Harvey, Demon, Miss Roberts, 
Phyllis, and Beauty’s Eye. Among the newer Cactus 
varieties we find Matchless, Earl of Pembroke, 
Gloriosa, Lady Penzance, and Fusilier as the five 
leaders. The number of blooms in every section but 
that of the singles was greater in 1897 than at any 
previous show. There were 930 show Dahlias, 312 
fancies, 234 bunches of pompons, and 432 bunches 
of Cactus and decorative Dahlias. The committee 
express the hope that members will sustain this 
advance. 
WINTER SPINACH. 
It would be interesting to learn how this important 
crop did last year from various correspondents in 
different parts of the country. With us, in Devon, 
it has almost been a failure, never having had such 
a poor supply. The seed was sown on August 9th, 
when a good breadth of late Turnips was sown. The 
latter came up thickly enough, but not one-hajf of 
the former appeared above ground, in spite of the 
drills being thoroughly watered before sowing, and 
when it did come through it seemed to remain at a 
standstill for weeks, so much so that I felt 
compelled to get the fire engine and give both crops 
a thorough drenching on September 19th, as we were 
dreadfully parched up. As luck would have it, the 
long wished-for rain came in a few days, but still 
progress was very slow with both crops, in fact, 
early in October the Spinach began to look very 
bad ; dozens of plants turned yellow and collapsed 
entirely. This left the plot very patchy, and our 
gatherings from there, as you may imagine, have 
been few and far between. This is to be regretted, 
as my employers are particularly fond of this vege¬ 
table ; but it could not be avoided, as the long con¬ 
tinued drought, combined with a light sandy soil, I 
consider was the sole cause of this failure, and can 
only hope a better state of things is in store for us 
this season. Speaking of the drought I may add 
that I never saw Celery make such little headway 
during the past summer and autumn, it being close 
upon Christmas ere I could take up anything in the 
way to be called decent heads .—James Mayne, Bicton. 
PORTLAND ROAD NURSERY, READING. 
In this nursery there is always something to interest 
those who are lovers of a garden. Although I have 
often frequented them during the last twenty years 
at no time have I been more pleased with a visit 
than the one I paid about the middle of April. 
Probably some may say I was too late to see the 
glorious display of Primulas and Cyclamens. True, 
having seen them in bloom on several occasions, I 
could quite as well enjoy looking at the few late 
blooms and the grand crop of seed pods so far that 
it gave me the assurance there would be a fine crop 
of seed of the very best, and this is no small item to 
the flower-loving public. 
From this crop many a private grower will have a 
magnificent show of these during the dull winter 
months. 
It is not my intention to deal with these, seeing 
they have been fully described during the last few 
months. As a passing note I may say I was 
charmed with the colour of Primula Crimson King 
both in Fern and palmate-leaved forms. One can 
readily see the fine strain the firm holds. 
Streptocarpus was coming fast into bloom, and 
many fine colours are to be seen, amongst them two 
or three new shades that are opening for the first 
time. Undoubtedly this is a plant that will be grown 
more in the future seeing how easy it can be 
obtained from seed. 
Evidently we shall hear more of herbaceous 
Calceolarias from this establishment during the 
coming season judging by the grand lot of plants 
that are now showing every sign of making a grand 
triumph. Nothing could show higher culture than 
do these, although not showing for bloom as yet. 
Those who think these cannot be grown without 
greenfly should go and see these and they will find 
it difficult to discover one of their enemies. 
It is a well known fact that the firm devotes much 
energy to the production of the higher types of 
flowers from seed. Nevertheless the visitor can see 
many other things grown well, and this at any season 
of the year. 
As an instance of this I may say I was not 
prepared to see Montbretias taken in hand, and 
grown in pots so early as I saw in one of the houses. 
I noted they were in 48-size pots, with from nine to 
twelve in a pot, 3 ft. high, both M. Pottsii, and M. 
crocosmiaeflora, and these will give a good account 
of themselves during the next two months. 
Shrubby Begonias are to be found here in 
variety. An old favourite was in bloom, namely, 
B. Dreggii, which makes a good pot plant ; and 
several colours in the B. semperflorens class were 
good, showing their service for pots as well as for 
the bedding garden. 
Seldom have I seen Francoas looking as well as I 
saw here, both the pink and white forms. These 
