August 17, 1901. 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
819 
We also noted a new Potato under trial, and not yet 
named. It is evidently of strong constitution, for 
the stems are ft. high, which is something wonder¬ 
ful for field culture. 
Amongst Cabbages none enjoys greater popularity 
than Webb’s Imperial, which is proof of its general 
utility and reliability. At the present time every 
post brings orders for it for autumn sowing. -The 
heart is conical, of fair size, and remarkably firm. 
Even when out of season the heads do not split like 
some of the good old varieties, but the outer leaves 
in many cases simply dry up, leaving the heart as 
firm as ever. Earliness and excellent flavour are 
other points in its favour. Quite a little field of it 
is being grown for the purpose of seed, the hearts 
having to be cut to enable the flower stems to 
develop. The very best forms are also being 
selected and grown by themselves so as to keep up 
the strain to its present very high standard. 
A trial of Lettuces included some of variable 
character, and ssveral that were running to seed. 
Others of the same age and under the same con¬ 
ditions were of large size and in capital order for 
table use. The finest of the Cabbage Lettuces we 
noticed was Webb's Summerhill, which was of 
large size, with compactly arranged much crisped 
leaves of a tender and toothsome kind. Similar 
in many respects was Webb's Criterion, but the 
leaves were smooth, light green, and compactly 
arranged in a solid head. Neither of the two 
showed any signs of running to seed. Judging from 
appearances the finest Cos Lettuce was Webb's 
Exhibition, of large size and quite close, although no 
tying up had been attempted. Besides its utility for 
table purposes it would make a grand exhibition 
variety. 
(To be continued.) 
-- 
THE BRITISH PTERIDOLOGICAL 
SOCIETY. 
The annual meeting of this society was held at 
Bowness-on-Windermere on Bank Holiday, August 
5th last. The meeting was a great success, mem¬ 
bers turning up from Belfast, Manchester, Preston, 
Blackpool, Lancaster, Carnforth, London, and other 
places. 
The president, C. T. Druery, Esq., F.L.S., 
V.M.H., &c , occupied the chair, and after the 
formal business incident to all such gatherings, he 
gave an interesting address, in which he congratu¬ 
lated the society on its progress financially, numeri¬ 
cally, and pteridologically. 
He also, as editor, announced the publication 
shortly of a new book on " British Ferns,” which he 
hoped would meet with general approval, as it 
would contain articles on all phases of Ferns and 
Fern-culture, be beautifully illustrated, and, in fact, 
replete with matter which, he hoped, would appeal 
to the amateur as well as the expert. 
A copious list of descriptive varieties would be 
added with the dates and raisers’ names, &c , 
appertainirg to each variety. This list, however, 
was not intended to be exhaustive but eclectic, i.e., 
only the best forms in each c'ass would find a place. 
As the varieties of British Ferns are now so numerous, 
it required all the skill of an expert committee to 
make such a selection — to weed out inferior forms, 
and to include those only which exhibited some 
distinct advance on lines of symmetry and beauty. 
The president then read, on behalf of Dr. Stans- 
field, of Reading (who was unavoidably absent), a 
paper on “ The Cultivation of some Difficult British 
Ferns,” which was listened to with evident interest, 
as the learned doctor is rightly regarded as one of 
the greatest authorities on the subject of British 
Ferns. 
As in all classes of plants, so it is with Ferns, 
there are some species and some varieties with 
which cultivators generally experience a good deal 
of i rouble. It is, in fact, difficult, if not impossible, 
to imitate those conditions under which such plants 
are found in nature. On the other hand, it some¬ 
times happens that one cultivator succeeds where 
another fails—hence the philosophy of comparing 
notes, and hence the value of such an exposition by 
one learned in the cult. 
After a short interval, during which lunch was 
partaken of and a photographic group recorded, 
business recommenced. The president then called 
in complimentary terms on Mr. C. B. Green, of 
Acton, to give a paper on " Scolopendrium vulgare ; 
Its Varieties and Culture.” 
The paper dealt exclusively with the Hartstongue 
in its numerous and beautiful forms, over 120 of 
which are recognised as worthy of a place in the 
new book above referred to. The paper also alluded 
to the early history of this Fern, its nomenclature, 
its variability, its propagation, its culture, and 
many other matters of interest to the cult. 
Fronds and photos were exhibited to illustrate the 
subject still further ; and, after a good discussion, 
votes of thanks to Dr. Stansfield and Mr. Green 
were heartily accorded. 
Some remarkable plants and fronds of various 
varieties were then inspected, named, and duly 
registered—the fimbriated, frilled, and crested 
Hartstongues being particularly fine. 
Among wild finds the president submitted a 
splendid bipinnate, or omnilacerum, form of Poly¬ 
podium vulgare, found recently in Cornwall by a 
member. 
Mr. Troughton, of Preston, also had a new 
variety of Lastrea propinqua, almost tripinnate in 
character, which he had picked up the previous day 
in Kentmere. 
Some very good polydactylous seedlings of Poly- 
stichum angulare were exhibited by Mr. Garnett, of 
Bowness; capitate Athyriums by Mr. Askew, of 
Bowness ; and frilled and fimbriated Scolopendriums 
by Messrs. Bolton, of Carnforth, and Troughton, of 
Preston. A vote of thanks to the president termin¬ 
ated a very successful meeting. 
We may add that the secretary of this society is 
Mr. George Whitwell, Serpentine Cottage, Kendal, 
who deserves all credit for the work he has done in 
connection with the same. 
MESSRS. VEITCH & SONS’ BULB 
CATALOGUE. 
Like everything else which Messrs. James Veitch 
& Sons, Royal Exotic Nursery, Chelsea, turn out, 
their catalogue of bulbs is well up to date and 
beautifully illustrated. Every page is embellished 
with plates of the most recent introductions in the 
bulb line, forcing and bedding bulbs being specially 
brought to the fore ; and several photographs are 
reproduced illustrating the various purposes for 
which they may be utilised, both for house, conser¬ 
vatory, and lawn decoration, not forgetting the 
handsome effect produced by naturalising the 
various kinds, especially Narcissi, in the grass. We 
have been comparing the prices with those which 
were asked a few years ago and we find that in 
many cases they are altered, to the advantage of the 
buyer, by over 50 per cent. 
There are several leaflets also included in the 
book, dealing with specialities of the season. In 
these their grand strain of Eremuri figures con¬ 
spicuously, also the new varieties of Strawberries. 
Many press opinions are reproduced relating to the 
various plants, thus giving, not self-praise, but the 
praise of a wide range of critics. 
Rhododendron King Edward VII. is figured, and 
considering the magnificence of the variety, is 
offered at a very low price. It is unquestionably 
the best variety which this firm of Rhododendron 
specialists have succeeded in bringing out. It 
belongs to the beautiful Javanese section and is the 
result of crossing R. javanicum with R. Teysmanni, 
R. javanicum being the male parent. The flowers 
are borne in bold trusses and individually measure 
quite 2j in. in diameter. The colour is one of the 
most attractive shades of yellow and cannot fail to 
obtain the admiration of all who see it. The leaves, 
too, are of the best of substance, which unfortunately 
cannot be said of many of this handsome section. 
Another, very pretty plant offered as a speciality 
is Sonerila laeta. It will be a welcome addition to 
the foliage plants of the warm conservatory, as 
hitherto the Sonerilas offered have been only suited 
to the warm atmosphere of the stove. Kalanchoe 
flammea, the sensation of the period, is also dealt 
with separately, and those who have not yet been 
fortunate enough to see a good batch of it, or better 
still, possess one, may judge what it is like from 
the collection of comments on it, culled from all 
classes of papers. It is quite a new introduction 
and flowered for the first time under cultivation at 
Kew in 1897. 
Everyone should possess a batch of these for the 
decoration of their cool houses, and there is nothing 
to prevent them from doing so, as the price at 
which they are offered is amazingly low for such a 
high class introduction, and it is now, in four 
years from its introduction, within the means of even 
the cottager. Those who have table decoration and 
other floral work to do will find it invaluable, as the 
beautiful flame-coloured flowers will last for over a 
fortnight in water. 
CONFERENCE ON SMALL FRUITS. 
A conference on small fruits was held in Dundee 
on the 6th inst., under the combined auspices of the 
Dundee, Broughty Ferry, and Newport Horticul¬ 
tural Associations. There were many samples of 
the well-known and some of the not so well-known 
varieties of Gooseberries, Black and Red Currants 
forward. Raspberries were represented by about 
twenty dishes. Strawberries were poorly represented 
Owing to the hot dry weather having rushed them 
past. The Cape Gooseberry was represented by one 
dish, also the Loganberry (midway between the 
Raspberry and Bramble), and the American Black 
Cap or Thimbleberry, a fruit like a small Bramble- 
berry, but with a different flavour. 
Short papers were read by Mr. Slater, Broughty 
Ferry, on the "Strawberry”; Mr. J. Barker, 
Broughty Ferry, on the "Raspberry”; Mr. Jas. 
Bethel, Newport, on the "Gooseberry”; Mr. Geo. 
McDonald, Newport, on the "Black Currant”; 
Mr. D. Storrie, Glencarse Nurseries, on “ Red and 
White Currants.’ 
The subject of each paper was discussed, the fruit 
examined and tasted, and the best varieties decided 
upon. It was an interesting commentary on the 
judgments given at flower shows, that the small 
hairy Gooseberry Langley Green should be selected 
from amongst many varieties of large, smooth 
skinned fruits as the best dessert Gooseberry; also 
that Garibaldi, although a smaller Strawberry than 
Royal Sovereign, President, and others, was the best 
Strawberry for all purposes. Keepsake was con¬ 
sidered the best Gooseberry for pulling green, and 
Warrington the best for making jam. 
Amongst Red Currants, Fay’s Prolific was a showy 
berry, but Mallow-leaved was considered the best 
cropper. Amongst Black Currants, Victoria was 
best for size; Lee's Prolific for flavour; and Carter’s 
Champion for cropping. Amongst White Currants, 
Versailles and Transparent were considered the best 
varieties for flavour and cropping respectively. 
Amongst Raspberries, Superlative was considered 
the best for all purposes. 
The unsatisfactory state of the nomenclature of 
small fruits was commented upon by some of the 
speakers, the same variety being known by 
different names in nurseries and gardens throughout 
the country. Before a conference on small fruits 
can be of much benefit to cultivators in general, this 
question of nomenclature must be put right.— W. K. 
-- 
MUSAS. 
There are not many places where glass structures 
of sufficient dimensions are available for growing these 
stately plants as ornaments, but there are one or two 
which might be found room for as fruitingplants. The 
best one for this purpose is Musa Cavendisbii, 
which is a small plant, but a good fruiter. It does 
not grow to more than 4 ft. or 5 ft. high, and can 
generally be accommodated in the bed of the plant 
stove, where it will associate beauty with utility. 
It is a remarkably quick grower, and may be raised 
from a sucker, and had in fruit within eighteen 
months. 
The plants require a very rich loamy soil, and 
plenty of pot room ; and wherever possible they 
should be planted out in beds so that their thick 
fleshy roots can run about without restriction. They 
will stand a tremendous amount of heat so long as 
the atmosphere contains plenty of moisture. If 
grown in pots they must be frequently supplied with 
manure water. 
As they die down after fruiting, and, in nature, a 
sucker takes their place, there should always be a 
few suckers coming along in places where fruit is to 
be obtained every year. Pines are always interest¬ 
ing plants in a fruit collection, but what would a well 
grown bunch of Bananas count ? The gardener who 
can yearly send up a few huge bunches of Bananas 
into the house will surely make a name for himself, 
and certainly this can be done with very little 
trouble, because so long as they are kept in a brisk 
heat and well supplied with water and manure, they 
are very little trouble. 
