•132 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
October 27, 1900. 
and are never troubled with insects. It is a 
chance seedling which came up on a Mr. 
Cousen’s establishment and has no other 
history. Quite of another character and 
aspect is A. F.-f. revolvens, one of Mr. 
Druery’s wild finds at Blairquhosh, Strath- 
blane, near Glasgow. The distinguishing 
feature is that all the pinnae are rolled 
backwards, more decidedly than an ostrich 
feather, and the whole frond arching. 
Remarkable as it may seem it comes true 
from spores, even the first tiny frond being 
folded over the prothallus. The best crested 
wild find was A. F.-f. cristatum Kilrush, a 
very fine Irish wilding. We also noted a 
piece of the original percruciate and heavily 
crested A. F.-f. Victoriae, picked up in a 
lane at Drymen, near Stirling. The pris¬ 
tine freshness of the Lady Ferns is now 
gone for a season, though the fronds are 
still perfect. Early summer, however, is 
the best time to see them in all their delicate 
and fragile beauty. 
Only a few of the many Lastreas need 
be mentioned here, though a good many of 
them are of a highly ornamental character, 
rhe king of all the forms of the Male Fern 
is Lastrea Pseudo-mas cristata, of which a 
plant has been in the owner’s care for the 
last twenty years. This plant stands 5 ft. 
high, and the erect caudex or trunk is 15 m. 
high, thus forming a good substitute for a 
British Tree Fern. It is the crested form 
of the golden Male Fern so handsome when 
throwing up its young fronds about the 
beginning of June in the wild state. L. 
Pseudo-mas polydactyla Wills is a very 
bold form, having fronds about 41 ft. long, 
and 18 in. wide, with all the pinnae crested 
and the apex fingered. It was found wild 
in Dorset. L. Filix-mas Dadd’s polydac¬ 
tyla is a fingered variety of the ordinary 
Male Fern, which was first picked up at 
Ilfracombe. When sheltered by glass 
some of the forms of the Male Fern become 
evergreen, particularly the golden one. 
In our opinion the species and varieties of 
Polystichum are even more interesting, 
valuable, and ornamental owing to the fact 
that they are truly evergreen, and the plu¬ 
mose forms are equally as magnificent in 
their way, and as handsome as the corres¬ 
ponding forms of the Lady Fern. In 
speaking of the last named we have already 
referred to Athyrium Filix-foemina re¬ 
volvens. Amongst the Polystichums it is 
matched exactly by P. angulare revolvens, 
and by Lastrea Filix-mas revolvens, as 
well as in Blechnum, although that is not 
so decided. Polystichum angulare plumos- 
um densum, and Jones’ densum are re¬ 
markably handsome, and the way that the 
plumy pinnae overlap one another is in all 
probability not surpassed by any other class 
of plants, as an extreme form of vegetative 
or leafy development. Another fine thing 
we noted was P. a. plumosum Grimmondii, 
which originally made its appearance at 
Dundee about thirty years ago, if we re¬ 
member rightly. In any case a grand 
specimen 6 ft. through was exhibited at the 
Edinburgh Flower Show on the 13th and 
14th September, 1899, by Mr. J. Bethel, 
gardener to Mrs. Walker, Westwood, New¬ 
port, Fife, just across the estuary of the 
lay from Dundee. We cannot omit that 
beautiful plumose form of P. aculeatum, 
known as P. a. pulcherrimum, which 
emanated from the collection of Dr. Wills, 
near Chard, an enthusiastic Fern collector, 
who had thoroughly hunted his own dis¬ 
trict, or thought he had. One day a farm 
labourer brought in a large plant irom a 
hedge near his house, and asked if there 
was anything in it! There is no more dis¬ 
tinct form of the species. The fronds are 
very finely divided, always perfectly barren, 
and softer in texture than the usual form of 
P. aculeatum, This latter fact, and the 
' much dissected character of the frond, gives 
one the suspicion at the first glance tnat it 
is P. angulare rather than P. aculeatum. 
It ‘ is perfectly evergreen, and makes a 
capital house plant, because it is easily 
kept clean and is always fresh and hand¬ 
some in appearance. The large specimen 
we noted had actually been grown in Mr. 
Druery’s house for a long time. 
Light by this time failed us so that we 
made a very imperfect examination of the 
Ferns planted in the open garden. A bed 
is filled with a very varied collection, and 
under a large bell glass, freely ventilated at 
the bottom, is a choice and interesting lot 
of the small and dwarf British Aspleniums, 
thriving beautifully under this form of 
treatment. In a side border are several 
forms of the common Bracken (Pteris 
aquilina), including P. a. cristata, very 
regularly and beautifully crested. Another 
form curls, twists, and ties itself into curious 
knots as fast as it grows. Of course this 
form is more curious than beautiful, but the 
crested one is quite ornamental. 
Roman Hyacinths, in flower, are now on the 
market. 
Her Majesty the Queen, it is expected, will leave 
Balmoral on some date between November 9th and 
November 17th, when Her Majesty will proceed to 
Windsor. 
Wedding of Mr. N. N. Sherwood’s daughter.— 
The neighbourhood of Streatham Hill, S.E., was all 
a g°g °n Tuesday, the gth inst., on which date Miss 
May Sherwood, only daughter of N. N. Sherwood, 
Esq., of Dunedin, Streatham Hill, was married to 
Dr. J. William Campbell. Mr. Sherwood himself is 
so popular a gentleman that the wide circle of his 
own and his daughter’s friends gathered themselves 
to form a huge assembly at Christ Church, where 
the ceremony took place. There is much of romance 
and s omething of tragedy in the fact that twenty- 
seven years ago on the same day and in the same 
place, Mr. Sherwood stood as bridegroom and the 
present bride's mother as bride, but who has long 
since “joined the choir invisible’’ The happy 
cou pie were deluged with all manner of beautiful 
presents, most of which were of silver. The honey¬ 
moon was spent at Prested Hall, Kelvedon, Essex, 
which is Mr. Sherwood’s country seat. 
Essex County School of Horticulture.—“The 
aim of this County School of Horticulture is to 
impart sound elementary instruction in the best 
methods of cultural treatment, based upon a know¬ 
ledge of the structure and physiology of plants." 
There are four terms during the year; three which 
last three weeks each, and one lasting a month. 
In the intervals between the terms, the students 
are supposed to be engaging in gardening and 
putting into practice the principles taught at the 
school. As the upkeep of the school is supplied 
through the Technical Instruction Committee of 
the Essex County Council, it follows, of course, 
that the students must be residents within the 
county. Exceptional cases are, however, considered. 
The instruction is free and board and lodging is 
even provided for fifteen students (at discretion, in 
suitable cases) who fulfil the necessary conditions. 
At the end of each term a written and a practical 
examination takes place. Certificates and scholar¬ 
ships are open for competition. The autumn term 
begins in the course of a few days from now. 
Beginning at 9 o’clock in the morning, the study of 
botany is taken up and applied for three hours, such 
subjects being discussed as “ Life history of a typi¬ 
cal bulbous plant,” “ Study of buds as vegetative 
organs of reproduction,” and the study of flowers, 
seeds and fruits. From one o'clock till four in the 
afternoon, such gardening operations as the methods 
of propagation, digging, draining, levelling, turfing 
and planting are taken in their turns. The evenings 
an devoted to a revision and study of the work 
accomplished during the day, while occasional 
exhibitions of wild flowers, twigs, &c., are also given. 
Gardens and nurseries are also visited for the sake 
of instruction. For further details of the scheme of 
work to be undertaken we would direct those who 
are interested to apply to the Secretary, County 
Offices, Chelmsford. 
Greenhouse Repairs should now be completed as 
speedily as possible. 
Newer Cannas.—-In an American contemporary 
Mr. Antoine Wintzer describes a list of twenty-six 
newer Cannas, which have proved of exceptional 
merit in his garden. 
Weather in London.—On the whole the weather 
during the week has been seasonable. There have 
been frosty mornings and biting cold days, such as 
on Saturday and Sunday. The cold, however, has 
given place to damper and milder conditions. 
Acalypha Sanderi.—In its issue of the 1st inst, 
Gardening (American) describes a bed of Acalypha 
Sanderi as a very showy feature at Fairmount Park, 
Philadelphia, and showing conclusively the value of 
the plant for summer bedding. Gardeners and 
superintendents of parks in this country would do 
well to give it a thorough trial. We think it should 
prove very effective both in single specimens and in 
a mass. 
Orchids at the 8ale Rooms. — Cattleya labiata 
Peetersii made its appearance at the Sale Rooms of 
Messrs. Protheroe & Morris on the 19th inst., when 
36 gs. were bidden for it, but the owner refused to 
part with it at that figure. The sepals, petals, and 
lip were of a rich, dark purple, splashed, spotted, 
and marbled with pale rose. The contrast of colours 
was striking. A variety of Odontoglossum crispum 
with white flowers, overlaid with a rosy tint, and 
spotted only on the lip, changed hands at 5 gs. 
Death of a South Norwood Nurseryman.—We 
regret to record the death of Mr. Thomas Butcher, 
of Station Road, South Norwood, S.E. The event 
is all the more painful because it came unexpectedly, 
and while the deceased was fully engaged in his 
large and active business. Apoplexy was the 
immediate cause. Mr. Butcher had extensive Rose 
nurseries at Shirley, and besides the South Norwood 
establishment he had also a branch at South Croy¬ 
don. It was in Croydon that the late florist first 
started business twenty-eight years ago. He was 
fifty-seven years of age. The interment took place 
at Saffron Walden, in Essex, on Monday, October 
15th. 
Bristol and District Gardeners’ Mutual Improve¬ 
ment Association.—The above Associaffon's sylla¬ 
bus of meetings during the period from October to 
March has been placed before us. The f blowing is 
the list of the meetings : October nth, Mr. F. W. 
E. Shrivell, F L.S., Tonbridge, Kent, lecturt-d on 
“ Chemical Manures in the Garden " ; on October 
25th comes “The Culture of the Croton," b/ Mr. 
Shaddick, of Stoke Bishop ; November 8tb, “ Fungi,” 
by Mr. J. Phillips, Clifton; November 29th, 
“ Grape Culture," by Mr. J. Kitley, Alvaston, Derby; 
December 13th, “The Hardy Fruit Garden," by Mr. 
Thos. Coomber, Hendre, Monmouth. On December 
27th a public entertainment will be given, and a 
charge is made. On January iotb, 1901, the subject 
is " Six Good Vegetables and their Cultivation," by 
Mr. W. J. Hockey, Yatton; January 31st, “ A Few 
Words About Leaves," by Mr. A. Moore Sara, Stoke 
Bishop; February 14th, “Insect Pests,” by Mr. W. 
G. Smith, Knowle; February 28th, “First Prize 
Essay on Wall Fruit Trees"; March 14th, “The 
Fuchsia,” by Mr. J. Julian, Hon. Sec. Cardiff Gar¬ 
deners’ Association ; and on March 28th, “ Hardy 
Shrubs,” by Mr. G. Brook, Clifton. It may be 
noted that the meetings are held at St. John's Parish 
Room, Redland, on the second and last Thursdays 
of each month, at 7.30 p.m. Prizes are awarded at 
each meeting for small exhibits of fruiis, flowers, 
and vegetables, as the case may be. The prizes at 
the first meeting are for six Plums and for six 
spring sown Onions; then October 25th, two Pitcher 
plants and twelve culinary Apples, three vars. ; 
November 8th, six dessert Apples and six dessert 
Pears; November 29th, two bunches of Grapes; 
December 13th, six culinary Apples and six dessert 
Apples, each separate prizes, of course; December 
29th, three plants in bloom, Orchids and bulbs ex¬ 
cluded; January 10th, six crowns of Seakale; 
January 31st, two foliage plants; February 14th, two 
Cyclamens, pots not over 6 in. in diameter ; Febru¬ 
ary 28th, two pots of Narcissi; March 14th, three 
Hyacinths ; and March 28th, two bouquets. The 
Hon. Secretary is Mr. W. Ellis Groves, to whom 
communications should be made. 
