THE LADIES' FLORAL CABINET 
321 
and at least a quarter-acre will be devoted to this experi¬ 
ment. As soon as the plants begin to develop they 
will be objects of watchful attention and should a 
large proportion of the plants form heads of the 
new typical character, the very best will be selected and 
put away for another season’s seed-growth, and still an¬ 
other year’s trial from the seed last saved. Again, if 
the result be satisfactory, another year’s selection will be 
made. Thus, the work is kept up for a series of years, 
until the character of the new type is firmly established. 
Then it will be grown in quantity for sale. What is true of 
the Cabbage, is alike true of all other vegetable forms. 
They are subject to the same law of develop¬ 
ment, and require the same watchful care. The 
law that applies to the development of a new form, 
must not cease its operation with the old, in order that 
it may be kept true to its respective type. Whenever 
and wherever there is found a plant growing, that dif¬ 
fers from its fellows in the slightest particular, "it must 
be considered a weed and thrown away—a weed being 
simply a plant out of place. And this is the work that 
is constantly going on at the Bloomsdale Farm, under 
the direct superintendence of members of the firm. 
For this branch of their business a large acreage is 
required to produce sufficient seed for stock pur¬ 
poses. This is a work that no seedsman can afford to 
trust to another, as it is of vital importance, and with¬ 
out it he can not establish an enduring reputation ; nor 
can he continue to be financially successful. Again, let 
us say, that without a heartfelt interest in the work, it 
were better that it had never been undertaken. It is 
this love for the business that keeps it healthy and vig¬ 
orous, and we are pleased to note that the reputation of 
the house of David Landreth & Sous, notwithstanding it 
has celebrated its “ centennial,” is still young and vigor¬ 
ous. It does not weary nor grow old; on the contrary, 
it strengthens with its years, and will continue as long 
as a love for the industry predominates over the love of 
profits that may come from its prosecution. 
There were many other interesting features of Messrs. 
Landreths’ seed business, and incidents connected with 
their seed farming in New Jersey and Virginia, that we 
had intended mentioning; but space will not now 
permit. 
FERNS IN THE GARDEN. 
Second Paper. 
We will suppose that the beginner, having succeeded 
with the Ferns mentioned in the first paper, has de¬ 
cided, with increased enthusiasm, to attempt fresh 
fields and pastures new; for the Fern grower’s appetite, 
like the Orchid fancier’s, grows with /what it feeds 
upon. 
We will infer that she—it is usually the fair sex that 
devote itself to this dainty family—has even inter¬ 
ested herself in Fern names, which are calculated to 
impress the uninitiated with lively awe, though, as a 
great Fern enthusiast says: “Carolina WilheJmina 
Amelia Skeggs was an unamiable person, but Mohria 
thurifraga var. Achilliaefolia is as sweet a bit of veget¬ 
able jewelry as you are likely to meet with in a day’s 
march.” 
But to “ return to our moutons,” in this’case, our Fern 
garden. 
If the Fern grower is successful with the simple bell 
glass, she will probably aspire to a more'preteutious 
case. 
A simple rectangular form is best, as lightly made as 
durability will allow. Heavy elaboration of frame¬ 
work is not only inelegant, but hurtful to the Ferns, 
as it obstructs the light. There should be doors on two 
sides, for convenience in handling, while the top should 
lift up for ventilation. It is well to have some means of 
escape for surplus water, for, though an experienced 
grower is not likely to over-saturate the roots, a begin¬ 
ner is extremely liable to do so; indeed, the commonest 
cause of ill health in these plants is excess of water. 
The stand supporting the case should be on casters, 
for convenience in moving about. I cannot speak too 
often of the danger of drowning the Ferns; it is the 
greatest trouble with the unin itiated. Water should never 
be given if the soil is moderately damp, though a 
sprinkling over the fronds is beneficial. In the winter, 
however, care should be taken in’ sprinkling; gold or 
silver Ferns should never receive water over the fronds, 
as it washes the farina off. Air must be given regularly 
but carefully; wind or dust are equally injurious to the 
plants. 
Injurious insects occur in the Fern case in spite of all 
possible care, and are very likely to eat away tender 
fronds; wood lice, snails or larvas being*chief offenders. 
To trap them, place slices of fresh Cabbage or Lettuce 
in the places they frequent; examine the bait daily and 
destroy the vermin caught. Toads are good vermin 
killers in a greenhouse, but they are apt to crush young 
fronds in a Fern case, and they are not generally con¬ 
sidered ornamental in such a situation. Ordinary wood 
lizards, though agile and voracious insect eaters, very 
easily tamed too, are open to the same objection. 
Green fly or aphis, occasionally seen in Fern cases, is 
caused by lack of air; they should be removed from the 
fronds with a soft camel’s hair brush, and better ventil¬ 
ation will prevent their re-appearance. 
For a case without artificial heat we give the follow¬ 
ing list as good for beginners: 
Asplenium appendicula turn, A. attenuation, A. niti- 
dum; Adiantum assimile, A. cuneatum, A. tinctum; 
Doodia aspera, D. candata; Lastrea acuminata; Ne- 
phrolepis exaltata; Polystichum triangularum; Pteris 
crenata, P. cretica albo-lineata. 
For suspending in a case: Adiantum setulosum; 
Pteris scaberula; Polypodium rugulosum; Campostorus 
rhyzophyllus. The latter, a native species, is popularly 
known as Walking Fern, from its peculiar growth. It 
sends forth a slender leaf which bends to earth, taking 
root again from its tip. This makes a second plant, and 
so it continues indefinitely, the plant appearing to travel 
in a series of little loops. 
The class known as Filmy Ferns, to which the Trich- 
omanes and Hymenophyllums belong, are indescribably 
dainty and charming for cases. They are widely dis- 
