June 2l), 1903. 
THE GARDEN I NO WORLD. 
537 
Scolopendrium vulgarc: its Varieties and 
Culture. 
(Concluded from, page 343.) 
Having now indicated a, sufficiently large number of varieties 
of tli© common HartVtongue, it will be as well to make some 
remarks concerning their cultivation. Tlie HartVtongue, then, 
unlike some other Ferns, is not over particular in respect to 
soil or situation. In outdoor ferneries there isi certainly no 
very great difficulty in the way of successful culture, provided, 
of course, that the site is more or less advantageous. 
Probably the best position is one facing north, north-east, or 
north-west; but the Hart’s-tongue is so accommodating that 
it will do fairly well even in strong sunlight if a copious supply 
of water can be administered. However, as it is usually in the 
shady parts of the garden where flowering plants are ill at 
ease, and as those are the ideal places for hardy Ferns, we 
will'assume that such a place has been selected. Suitable 
compost must, of course, be provided, as it is nonsensical to 
expect HarFsHongu.es—-equMy with other Ferns—to develop 
into line specimens without nutrient material, as it would be 
to grow on, say, exhibition Chrysanthemums 
minus stimulants. As the Hart’s-tongue likes 
good fibrous loam, such as gardeners love to 
recommend and use, this very desirable loam, 
with a large addition of leaf-soil and some lime¬ 
stone clappings or old mortar rubbish, should 
be acquired if possible. 
The most pleasing kind of fernery, doubtless, is 
one that is constructed of stone; but as stone 
is not an absolute necessity, and as clinkers, 
burrs, or agglomerated bricks, if properly put 
together, will contribute to the well-being of 
the Feins, there is no occasion to forego their 
culture on the score of expense. 
As the mode in which the rockery is to be 
constructed is largely a matter of taste, it is 
undesirable to enter into details concerning this 
question, except to insist that there shall be more 
soil than building material. 
As a matter of fact, HartVtongues will suc¬ 
ceed without the aid of rock-work, as witness the 
tine collection at the Royal Gardens, Ivew 
where, by-the-bye, an excellent, model for a rock 
garden may be seen—and also, at the Zoological 
Gardens, Bristol. The grandest specimens I 
ever saw were grown on the level in the gardens 
of the late Mr. E. J. Lowe, Shirenewton Hall, 
Monmouthshire. 
However, as the HartVtongue is exceedingly 
rich in beautiful varieties, and as these are’ well 
worthy of special attention, the rockery proper is the ideal 
place to exhibit their charms. Moreover, they are so numerous 
that a rockery devoted entirely to 1 them would be as unique 
as it would be interesting. But interesting and decorative as 
a good collection of Hart’s-tongues outdoors undoubtedly is, a 
comparison is all in favour of these plants when grown under 
glass. In fact, in or near large areas of smoke and sulphurous 
matters the glass protection is a. sine qua non. Even at Kew 
the proximity to the great smoke-infested city is seriou* 
enough, the results being seen in the premature browning and 
withering of the whilom green fronds. Under glass this can, 
to a great extent, be combated. 
The illustration here given represents about a third of my 
rock-femery under this latter condition. Outside all is bare, 
brown, or otherwise soot-besmeared in winter and spring ; 
inside, the prevailing colour is in accord with the rich, dark 
green hue of this plant as found in nature. Here, then, is a 
hint t 0 ‘ amateurs and others who are obliged to- live in smoke 
areas as to 1 the relative merits of the two 1 classes of culture. 
The HartVtongue being an evergreen Fern, the. loss of its 
foliage in the winter, from whatever cause, can only be written 
down as distinctly detrimental. Under glass this is obviated ; 
the extremes of temperature are more under control; bois¬ 
terous. gales, excessive rains, injurious fogs, and other similar 
causes ca.n be partially coped with. 
As to the decorative merits of Ferns under glass, especially 
Hart’s-tongues, I think the illustration already referred to> 
should suffice, although in justice to the said Hart’s-tongues 
it, should he stated that the original photograph was taken 
under adverse weather conditions for the purpose of this article, 
February at any time being somewhat unsatisfactory as a 
month to' show the full value of these leafy plants. However, 
as there is a very marked difference between these plants in 
the open air—with, all its impurities—and those under glass 
protection, it may be as well to 1 indicate the conditions which 
so largely contribute to the enhancement of their beauty. 
The fernery in, question, then, is 20 ft. by 12 ft., and is 
altogether out of place as a, fernery, the aspect being an 
exposed one and too southerly. As a matter of fact, it has 
been converted to its present use. Still, when the sun is too 
ardent, I operate against him with roller blinds. Inside a 
stage 3 ft. wide, runs the whole length of the house; this is 
ii'slated and covered with crushed cinders. On the opposite side, 
View of a Fekn Rockery. 
and roughly corresponding, is the rockery, which is built of 
sandstone and agglomerated bricks.. Here, of course, the 
Ferns ar*6 planted out; they thrive amazingly and do not 
require a tithe of the attention which has to> be devoted to 
their congeners in pots on the stage. This leaves a space of 
6 ft., which is concreted, and on which I place my specimen 
plants. 
Further, the house possesses top and bottom ventilators, 
hinged front lights, and a removable roof. I group the Scolo- 
pendriums, for instance, under these top lights, so that when 
gentle and refreshing rains descend the Ferns may reap the 
benefit. At other times, especially in warm weather, I use the 
syringe pretty freely on the stage, the shelves, and the_concrete 
floor, & and also lightly spray the Scolopendriums. In fact, 
nio'ht and morning, I pour water on the floor with a view to 
ensure that condition of humidity in which these Ferns revel. 
On the contrary, in severe weather I keep the floor,^ etc., dry, 
and use a liot-water stove to keep out the intensity of the frost. 
This however, is not necessary for hardy Ferns ; but, on the 
other hand, it. is. not detrimental and preserves the beauty of 
the Ferns over a. longer' period. Such is the modus operandi. 
Whether it he ill or well my friends must say; for it does uot 
