November 19, 1904. 
THE GARDENING WORLD , 
933 
An Improved Fern Wall. 
In the present article the "writer wishes to bring to the notice 
of reader's of The Gardening World a better system of making 
a. Fera wall than the one generally in vogue, viz., the old- 
fashioned 1 wire netting arrangement. This is dome by means 
of “ the pantile trough brackets ” (these are made of earthen¬ 
ware), 'and a Fern wall where these trough brackets are erected 
has a, far superior appearance compared to that produced by 
the wire netting arrangement. The initial outlay will, of 
course, be rather more than the wire netting, etc., but, unlike 
the wire netting, will last a lifetime, and there is no fear of 
the loam “ bagging out ” or “ sliding,” as ini the old arrange¬ 
ment. The writer may add that he has tried both methods 
during his gardening experience. A few particulars re size, 
etc., of these trough brackets will prove interesting. The 
length of the bracket is 12 in., and the width 7J in. These 
brackets, or tiles one might call them, are made in short 
lengths and are easily joined together and affixed to the wall. 
Three inches from each end at the base of the tile are holes for 
driving the nails through the mortar. The writer encloses; a 
sketch showing sections of tiles, method of affixing the same, 
nails, etc. It may be added that an india-rubber or leather 
washer should be slipped over the nails as far as the head so 
a,si to prevent, the nails smashing the 'tiles asi they arei being 
driven in tight. Suitable end pieces are also provided to 
terminate each row; and when they a,re finished; they form con¬ 
tinuous troughs of a very ornamental character for the recep¬ 
tion of the compost. They do not hold veiy much soil when 
fixed up in position. The tiles are about 3 in. from the wall 
at the top, gradually lessening to' the base. The writer in his 
fernery lias these trough brackets on either side to the 
length of 54 ft., and these are all filled with Maidenhair Fern 
(Adiantum cun datum), and they are invaluable to him during 
the winter. I hope to send the editor some fronds of A. 
cun,ea,turn showing how remarkably well they do in, these 
trough brackets, and will, if lie may desire it, send a photo¬ 
graph of the same. T. W. Dollery. 
Weetwood Grange Gardens, Leeds;. 
[The Maidenhair fronds were of great length for the species 
above named, and, being well grown and of firm texture, they 
would answer for any purpose for which Maidenhair is used 
in the cut, state.—E d.] 
Treatment of Winter-flowering Malmaisons. 
A batch of Malmaison Carnations grown to produce good, 
fragrant blooms during the winter months from October 
onwards, is a, flower to be admired and much appreciated by 
all lovers of this class of plant,. 
Layers taken in June and July and potted on in, a, suitable 
compost should now be nicely established in 4-in. pots and 
showing signs of pushing side growth. If these now have 
the main point removed, it, will have the desired effect of 
pushing and advancing the side growth considerably. These 
growths are where the grower must, look for his autumn and 
winter flowers. 
About the middle of November the plants will be ready for 
their first shift into 6-in. pots, using soil composed of four 
parts substantial fibrous loam, one part decayed manure, and 
one part, leaf-soil, with a, free dressing of coarse sand ; the pots 
should be well drained and 'the soil pressed quite firmly. This 
size pot will be sufficient to carry the plants through till about 
the middle of May, when they will require; shifting into their 
flowering quarters. Pots 8 in. in diameter will now be needed, 
using the same soil as before, adding a, sprinkling of one of 
the many approved artificial manures. 
After potting the plants ma,y be grown during the summer 
months in a cold frame, providing no Carnation house is avail¬ 
able. At all times shade from bright, sunshine; cleanliness 
and abundance of fresh air are the things essential to 1 their 
well doing. 
By the beginning of September buds will lie fast forming, 
and the grower will be rewarded with a wealth of fine blooms, 
of which he might well feel proud during the declining days 
of autumn and onwards. 
I find Calypso about, the best for winter flowering. En¬ 
closed are a few blooms for your inspection. 
Amport Gardens; Wm. Jas. Penton. 
A Ramble on the Minera Mountains. 
The middle of October is not, perhaps, the best time of the 
year fer a picnic on the peak of a mountain ; nevertheless, being 
in, the immediate neighbourhood, and possessed of a High¬ 
lander’s; love for rugged heights and a, warm affection for the 
Abelia c.iinensis. (See [■. 931.) 
plants that claim them a® their home, I could not resist the 
temptation to trudge; off on a cold but clear morning for a 
ramble on the Mineras, that grand range that is worthily 
the pride of Denbighshire. The; exertion of scaling the 
mountain side; sufficed to warm us, and when we paused in 
convenient places to regain, our breath, we were lost to all 
but the; grand panorama, of wild Nature's; beauty that met our 
gaze in all directions. 
In the distance rose the smoke of busy towns, trains rushed 
to and fro, the shaft sand engines; of coal and lead mines 
told of the rush and tear of a busy world, but we; had left all 
these behind, and had found peace and quietude—we are alone 
with Nature; 
As we wend our way among the Heather, especially dear 
