September 9. 1905 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
711 
An Evening Visit of the Members of the Croydon and District Horticultural 
Mutual Improvement Society to Falkland Park, South Norwood. 
ALL THE YEAR ROUND. 
II.—GLOBE ARTICHOKES. 
THE ROYAL FERN 
AS a 
. . . VEGETABLE. 
Osmunda regalis as an Edible Vegetable. 
At the meeting of the R.IT.S. Scientific Com¬ 
mittee, on Tuesday, 15th ult., Mr. Charles T. 
Druery exhibited a sample sent by the Yoko¬ 
hama Nursery Co., consisting of young fronds 
of this Fern, which when about ten to twelve 
inches high, and yet unfolded, were collected, 
boiled, dried, and compressed for food. It was 
stated that some tons of this material were 
consumed in Jaj>an, and that the dried product 
was soaked for ten hours in water which was 
frequently changed and then boiled and served 
up with various sauces as a vegetable. 
In appearance the dried material was in¬ 
tensely brown, almost black, and strongly 
resembled some kinds of string tobacco, being 
extremely tough and hard and with a somewhat 
bituminous smell, but after the prescribed 
soaking it_swells considerably, becomes quite 
soft and of a dark olive green. When boiled it 
becomes still softer and is by no means un¬ 
palatable, a very slight astringent flavour being 
perceived while, served up with sauce as pre¬ 
scribed by the Japanese recipe. We can quite 
believe it would form a welcome edible, easily 
masticated, void of any stringiness, and dis¬ 
tantly resembling in appearance elongated 
green Asparagus shoots. 
Osmunda regalis, though still plentiful in 
some unfrequented parts of the British Isles, 
would certainly speedily disappear if the young 
shoots were used as described, and thus, how¬ 
ever desirable the acquisition of a new food 
staple may be in the abstract, we are rather 
glad than otherwise that the trouble of collec¬ 
tion, and more still of subsequent preparation, 
is likely to restrict our note to a mere record, 
and unlikely to lead to a further raid in our 
precious ferny possessions. 
In Japan the Royal Fern appears to be very 
plentiful on the hills, thus at once reducing 
the trouble of harvesting the young shoots or 
the risk of extermination by their constant 
suppression. 
-«.- 
A /AINIATURE WILLOW: 
Salix Reticulata. 
Quaint and interesting is this miniature 
shrub, which, although as hardy as the Moun¬ 
tain Heather, and just as beautiful in its way 
as the tallest Willow tree, is but rarely seen 
under cultivation. On the rocky slopes of 
Scotland’s loftiest mountain tliis and several 
other diminutive species of Willow may be 
found “ at home,” and although but a few 
inches in height it forms broad-spreading 
masses, the slender but tough stems forming 
a complete network as they throw themselves 
out in every direction. The leaves of this 
species are very prettily veined or reticulated, 
and are of a fresh green colour on the upper 
surface, while the underside is glaucous or 
white, and the catkins are woolly or downy. 
We have seen instances in Scotland where 
quite small pieces were planted on rockeries, 
and having become well-established, have car¬ 
peted both earth and stones in a very effective 
manner. It is surprising that more tise is 
not made of this mountain Willow, for oft- 
times shrubby plants are sought for planting 
on rock-work. An interesting feature might 
be made of a complete collection of these 
dwarf W illows, of which there are at least 
a dozen distinct kinds, but S. reticulata is a 
very good one to start with. 
• Heather Bell. 
This vegetable is highly prized by many 
persons, hot only for its own worth, but be¬ 
cause it makes a variety in the annual sup¬ 
ply to the dinner-table. 
Situation. —It is a mistake to delegate this 
crop to odd corners in the garden, where the 
soil is poor and badly tilled, as I frequently 
see it done. No plant can possibly do well 
under such conditions. Select a part where 
the ground is naturally fairly dry ; the soil 
may be light or of a retentive nature. In the 
latter case thoroughly trench and break up 
the loam to a depth of 2 ft. or so in the 
autumn, and once more work the top portion 
with a garden fork in the spring as soon as 
the soil is dry enough. Where the ground 
lies low and damp, form raised beds 3 ft. 
wide, to contain one row of plants, with alleys 
18 in. wide between, as it should be remem¬ 
bered that the fully-grown plants cover a con¬ 
siderable space. 
Very large heads may b? obtained from 
plants grown in moist grounl, but the latter 
will not live through the winter, so that it is 
advisable to select an open, drier site. 
Sowing the Seeds.— If the seeds are sown 
in the open bed, put them in when the soil 
is in good condition, towards the middle of 
April. Sow three seeds in each spot and form 
a clump, 1 ft. dividing each lot of seels ; 
the clump will be triangular shaped. The 
clumps should be at least 3 ft. apart. In due 
course thin out the seedlings, leaving three 
in each clump instead of nine ; but I prefer 
to sow the seeds in small flower-pots, and 
then transplant the young plants to their 
permanent quarters in May. The pots may 
be placed in a greenhouse, and then trans¬ 
ferred to a cold frame, or the seels may bs 
sown in the pots in the cold frame. 
All manuring should be done in the spring, 
using well-decayed material. 
Summer and Winter Treatment _From 
the time the seedlings appear or the plants 
are put out continue to give water when the 
soil is dry. In dry seasons, and where the 
loam is of a light nature, mulch the plants, 
covering a fairly large space around each 
plant. Do not be content with a light mulch 
put on close to the plant, and covering a very 
small space around it. Try to confine the 
moisture in the soil around the roots, and 
encourage the latter to come near the sur¬ 
face. 
Clear away the faded leaves in the autumn, 
and immediately jmt on a nice dressing of 
littery manure and leaves mixed, thus pro¬ 
tecting the roots from frosts. 
In rather moist ground put on a 2-in. layer 
of coarse ashes before the litter and leaves 
are place! in position. The ashes will mix 
with the soil and benefit the plants. 
The following spring break up the ground 
around the plants, put on a top dressing of 
rotted manure, lightly fork it in without in¬ 
juring the roots, and fee l with liquid manure 
during the growing season. At all times 
keep the centre of the plant free from foreign 
rubbish, as any matter lodging there will 
cause decay. 
Insect Pests. —The only serious pest is 
the tortoise-beetle (Cassida viridis). The 
beetle is very small. It is while in the larvae 
stage that it does an injury to the plant by 
eating the leaves. Carefully examine the 
leaves, and dust a small quantity of dry lime 
over any parts infested with the larvae of 
this beetle. 
Varieties. —Large Green Globe. Crown, 
Earliest Drumhead, Large Purple. 
In Season from June to October. G. 
