828 
THE GARDENING WORLD, 
October 15, 1904 
3 in., or 4 in. apart all over the beds, if this is confined to one 
colour. If several varieties are planted', it would be necessary 
to plant them either in lines or clumps if the desire was to 
keep the kinds separate. Lines make rather a, formal bed, so 
that the best and most natural plan would be to- plant the 
conns of each kind in, large clumps of irregular outline. 
Another plan would be to insert them in the form of small 
clumps, so that each clump would be labelled like a plant, in 
the herbaceous border, the clumps being placed hregularly, 
but, so disposed as to fill the entire space at command. 
The method of planting will also be determined largely by 
the number of cormsi of each variety which the cultivator may 
have at command. It is unnecessary to lift the plants every 
year, as they are perfectly hardy, and should be allowed to 
remain, in the soil for two- or three years, according to the 
growth which they make. In suitable situations and districts 
the conns begin to get crowded at the end of the second year, 
so that in, such a case transplanting every two years would 
be advisable in order to maintain the vigour of the plants and 
the quantity and size of the flowers. 
There are now a great number of varieties' at the command 
of the cultivator, varying chiefly in the size and colour of the 
flowers. For many years the colour was confined to shades of 
yellow and orange, either separately or in various degrees of 
combination. Some of the fine varieties recently raised have 
the addition of a crimson blotch at the base of each segment, 
and these blotches are sometimes so enlarged that they unite 
to form a, zone of that colour in the centre of the flower. Any 
or all of the varieties may be considered worthy of cultivation,, 
the number being limited only by the space at the command 
of the cultivator. None of the plants are Aveedy or coarse, 
but, S'ome varieties are certainly better than others. 
A few of the varieties that might, be named should include 
the original T. crocosmia-eflo-ra on account- of its vigour and 
free-flowering habit. Other fine varieties are Etoile de Feu, 
vermilion-scarlet,; George Davison, a strong grower with, 
golden-yellow flowers, recently put into commerce; Pluie d’Or, 
with ochre-yellow fl,owers produced in great quantity; Bou¬ 
quet Parfait, rich yellow shaded with vermilion ; Drop d’Or, 
golden-yelloAv shaded with dark apricot; Sblfatara, light, prim¬ 
rose-yellow, and Transcendent, with very large flowers of a 
rich vermilion-orange. Some years ago a, very handsome 
variety with large flowers and named Imperial is created, some 
sensation, but- it appears that feAv, if any, cultivators' have ever 
discovered the way to grow it, the plant being of delicate 
constitution. Its place, however, has been taken by Ger¬ 
mania, with flowers of a uniform orange-scarlet- and a, dark 
crimson-red throat-. Oriflamme is also a handsome form, with 
orange-scarlet, fkwers and crimson eye. The list might be 
greatly increased, but- the above includes some of the best of 
the strong-growing and beautiful varieties. 
A Fine Hart’s-tongue. 
At the, recent- show held ini the Waverle-y Market, Edinburgh, 
I wa-s very gratified to see that British Ferns; were well repre¬ 
sented. Among the numerous; and creditable exhibits of this 
class of plants there was one, which well merited the honour 
bestowed upon it. Mr. Charles Pattis-on, of Linwood, Paisley, 
secured the leading position, and I should think the greatest 
number of‘ favourable comments; also. His, four Ferns were 
excellent- examples of cultural skill—Avell done, cleanly-grown-, 
luxuriant specimens. They consisted of Lastrca, pseudo,mas 
cristata (crested male Fern), Poly&tichum angularei divisi- 
lobum plumo-sum (feathery soft, shield Fern), Polypodium vul- 
gare cambricum (Welsh Polypody), and Soolop-emdrium vulgare 
crisp-urn Robinsomi (Robinson’s frilled Hart’s-tongue), the sub¬ 
ject of this note. 
This variety was found many years ago by Mr. Robinson in 
North Lancashire, and is, therefore, one'of those rare and 
beautiful “ sports ” which Nature sometimes deigns to evolve 
at one stride from the common, species. What- I desire here, 
however, to emphasise is the magnificent proportions of this 
highly decorative; Fern, and to- elicit, if possible, some details 
concerning its culture. If Mr. P-att-isom will give these, I feel 
sure that others besides myself will be rewarded. 
The H-artVtongue; is a, speciality in my Fernery, but, as I 
have never been, able to induce this plant to attain such re¬ 
markable dimensions, I, for one 1 , should be glad of a hint 
towards that desirable goal. In Volume XVIII., p. 45, of 
The Gardening World, September, 1901, I recorded a grand 
Hart’s-tongue of this same' variety; but the dimensions there 
given were inferior to the' one norv in question. This Paisley 
plant possessed about- 200 well-developed and exquisitely- 
frilled fronds, one of which measured 22 in. in length by 4 in. 
broad—a telling point in- its culture, for, although this variety 
is robust and easily grown, it does not often attain to such 
proportions. It occupied -a, pot about 18 in. in diameter: 
truly, a noble specimen. 0. B. G. 
Acton, W. 
Some Useful Things in the Garden. 
There are' many things in the way of tools, etc., used almost 
daily in a- garden which do, not- get mentioned, perhaps', quite 
so much a,s; they deserve,, and in this short article I propose 
to> mention a, few which are; at all times; necessary and useful 
to the; man- wliO' likes to; see his garden look spic and span. In 
the first place, one of the most important are boards and 
- battens 1 , which can be used at all seasons- for endless purposes. 
For 1 instance, during summer and autumn, when Chrysanthe¬ 
mums; and other winter-flowering plants are standing outdoors, 
boards; should always be used to- place them on. They may 
be obtained from any timber merchant and any size that is 
required. The- most useful for the above' purpose are boards 
about 18 ft, or 20 ft, long and 5 in. or 6 ini. wide, with 1 in. 
thickness. Where plants are stood in long ioavs; these look 
much better than using odd pieces-, and when the plants are 
mo'ved under glass they may be; utilised to stand Strawberries, 
etc., on, during the winter. There is no fear of worms entering 
the pots if they are always placed on, boards instead of on the 
ground. I have seen Chrysanthemums and other plants stand¬ 
ing on the; bare ground, and nothing looks more slovenly. 
Battens : A good stock of these should always be at hand, 
as they are most useful for many purposes. Those that are 
made about- 12 ft. long, 3 in. wide, and § in. thick are the 
best. During summer they can be nailed to stout posts and 
placed over the Strawberry or Gooseberry beds 1 , as the case 
may be, and the nets- can, be liung on them. The fruit is much 
easier picked when the nets are placed about 4 ft. or 5 ft. above 
the bed than, when they are just laid on the plants. 
Next-, I may mention tiffany, which can be procured of any 
size and thickness. Thin, tiffany can be used for covering long 
i oavs of plants before they are- housed, such as Chrysanthe¬ 
mums, etc. It is most useful also for nailing over the ven¬ 
tilators- of vineries and fruit-houses; to Avard off attacks of 
wasps. It- is- well known what ravages these make among 
Grapes, etc., in a short time. Stout tiffany can lie used 
during spring t-o- keep frosts; off fruit-trees when in bloom, and 
also; -for shading frames, houses', etc., in the summer. 
Tools : A good stock of these should always 1 be; kept, if 
-possible, with a- few -t-o- spare; in, case of need, and it is- as well 
to have them light and well made, especially in- the ca.se of 
ho-es, rakes, spades, -etc. Another useful item is twine, both 
tarred and plain. Tar twine is most suitable for tying out¬ 
door pi ant-si, Roses on pillars 1 , etc., as the rain and bad weather 
do no-t rot it- -so quickly as ordinary twine. It can be pro¬ 
cured in all sizes, as also can the ordinary. La-st but not 
least, I may mention labels, both wooden and due. V o-o-den 
labels are made; in all sizes, and should always- be painted on 
the side it is intended to write upon. Zino labels are best- foi 
outdoors, on the herbaceous border, Rose beds or other 
tions. For these it is necessary to' use indelible ink, aaIuci 
can be obtained from any sundriesman. It should be home 
