116 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
February 7, 1903. 
times. The leaves are erect, and sheathe into one another at 
the base, forming a cylinder. They are deep green, with 
zones of gray scales on both surfaces, till they attain some age 
at least. The inflorescence is a glorious sight of rosy-carmine 
bracts and pale-green flowers of pleasing aspect. The flowers 
are the first to fade away, but the bracts retain their beauty 
for some time longer. Our illustration shows the general 
character of the plant when in bloom. 
Hoplophytum lineatum variegatum has the midrib and the 
edges white, and often almost the whole leaf assumes a silvery- 
white hue. As yet the plant is veiy scarce. The variform 
tufts of leaves of Nidularisikn Innocent! striatum are striated 
or lined with greenish-yellow. The under surface and the 
edges of the leaves of Canistrum Nicolai are of a deep red, while 
the bracts accompanying the flowers are scarlet, the plant 
coming from New Guinea. The under surface and, to some 
extent, the upper surface of the foliage of Vriesia purpurascens 
are bronzy-violet, and certainly very distinct in appearance. 
The pink bracts of Tillandsia Lindeni vera are more durable 
than the flowers, but the latter are given off in long-continued 
succession, and their bright blue, colour is highly attractive. 
The arrow-shaped leaves of Nephthytis picturata are marked 
on the upper surface with a silvery shade of colour, as if a 
Fern-frond of that particular outline had been laid upon the 
leaf. The leaves of Maranta insignis are purple beneath, with 
olive black blotches above. The leaves are narrower than in 
Marantas generally. A large collection of the last-named is 
grown, and Dieffenbacliias are equally well represented. 
Asparagus Sprengeri variegatus, when seen in a mass, lias a 
silvery, hoary appearance, and is likely to prove an interesting 
plant suitable for those who like to produce different effects 
by means of different-coloured foliage. Quite another kind is 
Dracaena australis Doucettii, the leaves of which are edged 
with silvery white. The triparted leaves of Aralia triloba are 
very distinct from the usual run of Aralias, and there can be 
no doubt that it is yet very scarce in gardens. 
Some veiy interesting Feins may be noted, although at this 
period of the year they are not seen at their best, except in 
the case of those that are strictly evergreen and are capable of 
withstanding the strain of atmospheric conditions during our 
sunless and foggy winter. A First-class Certificate was re¬ 
cently awarded Polypodium iridioides ramo-cristatum by the) 
Royal Horticultural Society, and this Polypody is certainly 
evergreen in character, stands the winter well, and bears, in 
this respect, some resemblance to Scolopendrium. The fronds 
are variously divided, and each division is crested. 
Pteris Victoria©, having a broad silvery band upon the leaves, 
is also evergreen, and originated here. A veiy distinct flower¬ 
ing Fern is Anemia rotundifolia, with leaflets of various shapes, 
and often orbicular. In the early stages the fronds are of a 
beautiful bronzy-brown. 
Another remarkable Fern, which recently received a First- 
class Certificate, is Drynaria Hillii, the fronds of which are 
very deeply divided with long segments joined at the base, and 
resembling, in the aggregate, a gigantic Polopody. Pteris 
Charlesii is not. unlike P. Wimsettii in certain respects, but 
the pinnae are more regular in width, and deeply cut and sawed 
on the edges. It is, however, quite distinct from the latter. 
A very handsome greenhouse Fern is Gleichenia flabellata, with 
branches arranged in fan-shaped tiers, one above the other. 
Since specimen plants for exhibition went out of fashion this 
fine Fern has been much neglected. 
The collection of Anthuriums includes A. scherzerianum and 
A. andreanum, as well as hybrids, which are now coming into 
bloom. A First-class Certificate was awarded to Epiphyllum 
truncatum Princess, with light pink flowers. Even more 
delicate are the flowers of E. delicatum, which are almost white, 
with a more or less decided zone round the throat. 
Bended plants are not particularly numerous in winter, but 
we noted two that are very far from common. Ardisia mamil- 
lata is notable for the hirsute or mamillate character of the 
leaves. It is only 2 in. or 3 in. in height, and bears red berries. 
The leaves of A. primulaefolia are of a leathery character and 
quite smooth, while the habit is also dwarf and the berries red. 
In the way of Orchids, only a few need be mentioned as 
flowering at the present time. The plants, however, are in 
vigorous health and a clean state, notwithstanding the foggy 
atmosphere at Chelsea. 
Amongst the Odontoglossums we noted 0. crispum, 0. Pes- 
catorei, 0. Rossii majus, and others. Some Oncidiums are also 
flowering, including 0-. tigrinum, 0. t. unguieulatum, and 0. 
varicosum. Several varieties of Lycaste Skinneri were dis¬ 
persed through one of the houses. The flowers on Promenea 
citrina, although small, are pretty and interesting. The plant 
does best suspended in the same way as Sophronites grandiflora, 
also flowering close by. A houseful of Miltonia vexillaria, now 
potted in leaf mould, shows vigorous and healthy growth, and 
will be worthy of inspection when the plants are in bloom. 
Cypripediums were fairly numerous in two at least of the 
houses, and included the valuable C. lathamianum, C. Herman, 
spotted like Argus, C. nitens superbum, and C. Argus itself, 
all of which are characterised by rich markings upon the petals. 
Another house contained Cypripedium germinyanum, C. 
concinnum, C. Le Douxe, with a rich purple arid showy dorsal 
sepal. C. leeanum was plentiful in a number of different- 
varieties. Very chaste and pretty are the white flowers of 
Dendrobium Cassiope. 
In one of the cool houses was a large collection of hybrid 
greenhouse Rhododendrons, many of which were hi bloom, 
others being well set with flower-buds. The plants in some 
cases were quite small. Freesia refracta alba was making its 
presence felt by the sweet scent of its flowers. Ricliardia The 
Godfrey was preparing to throw up its flower scapes. The 
spa.thes are almost as large as those of the common Calla, but 
the plant is of dwarf habit, and much more floriferous than The 
Gem. 
A very little-known plant is Dianella tasmanica variegata, 
the leaves of which are twice as broad as those of Ophiopogon 
and banded with light yellow or creamy-white lines. The 
plant is relatively veiy hardy, and might be utilised with fine 
effect as a decorative plant of evergreen habit. Somewhat 
similar in habit is Deyeuxia eleg-ans variegata, a native of 
Bolivia, and forming dense tufts of leaves variegated with 
yellow, fading to white with age. It. is a grass, and so nearly 
hardy that it is perfectly evergreen in a cool greenhouse from 
which frost is just excluded. 
Streptocarpus Hybrids. 
Of all the flowering plants grown for the greenhouse and 
conservatory, there are few, if any, more beautiful than a well- 
grown batch of the above subject. Their floriferous habit and 
the exquisite colours they possess make them worthy of a 
place in every garden. Seed should be sown now, using well 
diained pots filled with finely-sifted soil. Sow the seeds 
thinly, covering them slightly; place the pots in a temperature 
of 60 deg. to 65 deg., and take care the soil is not allowed to 
become dry. Immediately the plants are large enough to 
handle prick off round the sides of small-sized pots, and'place 
on a shelf close to the glass. Water with care, and shade if 
necessary. 
As soon as ready transfer singly to 3-in. pots, using a light, 
rich soil, filling the pots to half the. depth with crocks, & ori 
preferably, old mortar rubbish. Shift into larger-sized pots 
as may be requisite, but never do this until the pots are filled 
with roots. Streptocarpus enjoy the above temperature when 
growing, but when established in their flowering pots they 
should be removed to an airy greenhouse. To prolong the 
flowering season, give weak manure water occasionally* but. 
care should be taken to keep it off the foliage. At the end of 
the season gradually withhold water, but never allow them to 
become too diy, and store in a temperature of 40 deg. to 50 
deg., until required for potting next season. W. Hopkins. 
Bradlees, Reigate. 
