700 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
August 15, 1003. 
of soda, the ingredients potash and phosphoric acid being 
quite insignificant in amount. 
The Daturas and the Chrysanthemum show the greatest 
quantity of soda and magnesia in, their ashes, if we exclude 
the Cacti, with its striking soda composition. 
Our readers, by careful study, will be able to follow out 
for themselves many points of extreme interest in these re¬ 
sults, which will help them to determine the manurial re¬ 
quirements of the' many flowering species of plants with which 
they have to deal. Space will not permit of our doing more 
than point out the chief characteristics. 
(To be continued.) 
Polypodium conjugatum. 
The- rhizomes of this bold and handsome Polypody are very 
stout, covered with light brown silky scales, and creep along 
the soil. The fronds are pinnately divided, 2 ft. to 4 ft, in 
length, and 12 in, to 18 in. wide, according to the age of the 
plant, and cultural conditions under which it has been grown. 
The pinnae are alternate, narrowly lanceolate', wavy a,t_the 
margins, and though at, first sight they may seem separate to 
the base, they are nevertheless; joined each to its neighbour by 
a very narrow portion of lea.fbla.de against the midiib. 4 he 
sori are borne in two rows between each of the; primary veins*, 
and reach from the midrib to the margins. 
In its native habitat it enjoys a wide distibution, but has 
Teen imported from Queensland by Messrs. M illiam Hull and 
Sons. King’s Road, Chelsea, in whose, nursery the photograph 
was taken from which our illustration was* prepared. A First- 
class Certificate was awarded this noble* Polypody when brought 
before the Floral Committee of the Royal Horticultural Society 
not very long ago*. This Fern, was at, one time sent out under 
the name of Drynaria. Hillii; that is obviously a mistake, the 
correct name* being that given above. 
The Herbaceous Border. 
PLANTS IN BLOOM. 
Spiraea palmata. 
At the present time this is, certainly one of the most hand¬ 
some of the herbaceous* Spiraeas. Most of them have white* 
flowers*, but that under notice in its typical form lias, brilliant 
rose flowers, by some people described as* crimson. Possibly, 
however, rosy-red would describe its proper colour as* well as 
any. It is* of moderate growth compared with several of the 
other species which I have cultivated, being only about 2 ft. 
high c*n an average, and therefore* much dwarfer than the 
common Meadowsweet, In friable garden soil that, holds the* 
moisture fairly well there is no* difficulty in cultivating this; 
species, but in soils which are rather dry it would be advan¬ 
tageous to dig in old farmyard manure or leaf-mould in some 
quantity in order to* counteract the influence of drought. Where 
it is possible to plant it in a bog-bed or on the banks of a 
stream o*r pond it gives; the greatest success*. The difficulty 
with some of these Spiraeas in veiy dry soil is their liability 
to get mildew, which destroys the foliage. It is worth a. little* 
trouble, however, to insure a sufficiency of moisture*, and if 
that is secured, the plant grows readily and healthy. 
Lychnis chalcedonies. 
At the present time* there is no more handsome ornament in 
the garden border than the above Lychnis in its ordinary singl 
form. The* flowers* -are of a brilliant scarlet, and if not so 
durable as those of the* double variety, they are, if anything, 
more brilliant. The* individual flowers are moderate* in, size*, 
but a large number of them are crowded together in a, flat- 
topped fascicle, giving the finest effect in a, mass. The plant 
may be propagated by division in autumn or early spring. It 
may also* be raised from seeds. Those who have a difficulty in, 
getting sufficient quantity of the double variety should try 
cuttings, which occur in the form of little side-shoots upon the 
stem. The flowers might even be cut off the main stem in 
order to* encourage* the production of these side-shoots, which 
may be rooted in a cold frame or in a handlight, 
Thalictrum glaucum. 
The stems of this South Euro*pe*an plant reach a height of 
5 ft. or 6 ft-., and possibly more in some soils. The plant 
should, however, be placed near the back of the border so as 
not to hide other subjects that are decidedly much dwarfer. 
The large, divided leaves have rounded or wedge-shaped seg¬ 
ments of a deep glaucous hue. The plant itself is, therefore, 
stately, has fine foliage, and though the flowers themselves 
POLYI’ODIUM CONJUGATUM. 
depend upon the* yellow stamens for their beauty, the combined 
effect is nevertheless both pretty and effective* when, planted 
in such situations that its general contour can be seen from a 
little distance. The flowers might even be used for cutting and 
mixing with other subjects in vases on account of their light 
and graceful character. They are also* possessed ot a soft 
fragrance that is pleasing. 
Cimicifuga racemosa. 
In many gardens I have seen this under the name of Actaea 
racemosa, but that is altogether a mistake. The true species 
of Actaea have berried fruits*. In this case the* fruits, are quite 
dry, even when matured. At the* present time, and for some 
weeks to come, it will be a great ornament o*f those borders 
in which it is grown. The leaves are-twice or three times 
divided in a, tomato manner, and in this respect recall some of 
the species o*f Spiraea, such as the* Goat’s Beard and the 
Astilbe®. The flowers are produced in long branching racemes • 
