DECEMBER 1, 1902. 
THE AUSTRALIAN GARDENER. 
Multiplication of Ferns. 
HOSSSSSee = 
(From “Amateur Gardening.’’) 
Every one versed in botany, even in a 
slight degree, is aware that fertilization 
is effected in flowering plants by the shed- 
ding of the pollen over the stigma; but in 
ferns the seed appears on the backs f the 
leaves without being preceded by the pol- 
len or anthers, or, in fact, any of the ordi- 
nary fertilising apparatus. Hence they are 
ranged under the class of cryptogamia, or 
hidden fructification. Many attempts had 
been made to detect anthers, or bodies ana- 
lagous to them, intermingled with the seed, 
or adjacent thereto, but it was not until 
nearly fifty years since that anything cer- 
tain was known on the subject, when Count 
Luminski, a well-known Polish botanist, 
brought forward observations demonstrat- 
ing the process of fructification and its en- 
tire harmony with that of other plants. 
WuHEN A SPORE OR SEED GERMINATES 
it first produces a leaf-like expansion 
clinging close to the soil, and 
deriving nourishment from rootlets 
emerging from its under surface. 
This first leaf or primary frond 
bears no resemblance to the true leaf. of 
tho fern. It is very much alike in all 
species of the tribe, and is usually tempo- 
rary. It is a most important part of the 
plant, however, for it is on this that the 
anthers and pistils are produced and fer- 
tilization effected through their union. In 
order to be satisfied of this let the primary 
frond be examined carefully with a power- 
ful microscope, and there will be found 
to arise amongst the common cells others 
of a peculiar character. Instead of 
coloring matter these contain granules, 
which speedily also become cells, packed 
and pressing one against the other within 
the parent cell like the seeds of a pome- 
granate against the rind. These compound 
cells have been termed antheridia, and 
Are ANALAGOUS TO THE ANTHERS 
of flowering plants. Besides these anthe- 
ridia, which are generally numerous, a few 
other bodies become apparent, consisting 
each of a cell with a tubular neck some- 
what resembling a flask, and at its bottom 
it contains a single germ cell. ‘These 
bodies are termed pistillidia, and represent, 
rudimentary fruit of the more perfect 
order of plants. Following the progress 
of the antheridia ,these are found to burst 
and liberate the secondary cells. Hach of 
these includes a longish body, folded up in 
itself, which is set at liberty by the rupture 
of its prison walls, and is then seen to be 
in shape somewhat like a tadpole with a 
slight enlargement at the tip of the tail. 
These are termed 
SprrAL FILAMENTS, 
and Luminski was the first to demonstrate 
their nature and use, although they had 
been noticed by others on the primary 
fronds before. As soon as these spiral fila- 
ments are released by the bursting of the 
antheridia and secondary cells, they move 
i) 
about with a lively and independent action 
through the mucilaginous fluid on the sur- 
face of the frond, and, entering the open 
mouths of the bottle-like pistillidia, come 
into contact with the embryo at is bot- 
tom, forthwith effecting fertilization. 
Several spiral filaments usually enter one 
pistillidium, and the dilated extremities of 
their tails are applied to the embryo or 
germ cell in the way as we see many par- 
ticles of pollen shed over the stigma of the 
higher order of plants in order to ensure 
the proper setting of the fruit. 
Tue Germ CELL 
being thus fertilised, instead of passing 
into the state of perfect seed, as in flower- 
ing plants, commences forthwith to giow, 
and by the ordinary process of cell growth, 
pushing forward roots and leaves, gradu- 
ally develops into the fully grown plant. 
In flowering plants it is well known the 
cotyledon furnishes the embryo with 
nourishment in the early stages of its 
growth till by the development of the 
necessary organs, 1t 1s able to support it- 
self. In the fern a primary frond takes the 
part of the cotyledon by supplying; nourish- 
ment to the fertilised embryo, until, having 
put forth leaves and roots, it’ is ecubled 
to exist on its own resources. From what 
we have here stated of 
Tuis WONDERFUL PROCESS 
it is very evident that the germ. cells of the 
pistillidia are the true seeds of the fern ; 
but it is also evident that one of the pur- 
poses which seeds serve, namely, the multi- 
plication of the species, cannot well be ef- 
fected by them, hence the production of 
gemme, or spores on the back of the leaf. 
We find in many plants by which propaga- 
tion or increase may take place. The fami- 
liar Turk’s cap lily carries a bulbil in every 
axil of its stem. The begonia and achi- 
menes frequently produce nothing el.e in- 
stead of flowers, yet although the parent 
plants may be reproduced and increased by 
these, one never thinks of calling them 
seeds. No more are the gemmez of ferns en- 
titled to be styled such. The inflorescence 
of the fern, in fact, seems to stop short in 
the’ middle of its course, and instead of 
showing flower, unfolding the parts’of fruc- 
tification, and perfecting its seeds, as other 
plants usually do, it contents itself with 
forming flower buds merely, which, 
separating from . the parent, furnish the 
means of increase and dissemination. 
‘When these find resting places they expand 
into primary fronds, bear anthers, and 
germs of their own, and in this respect are 
undoubtedly analogous to the flowers of the 
thousands of flowering plants that grow in 
greenhouse and garden. 
W. N. Brown. 
BECO seeoreseueer 
On Flower Arrangement. 
>Seeeen 
Flowers are with us (says “Amateur Gar- 
dening’”’), and not only gardens, but rooms 
aro full of sweet blossoms, but what a dif- 
ference there is in arrangement. From the 
bowl or soup plate in which roses lie half- 
submerged to the single flower glass with a 
rim to take the weight of the petals is 
indeed a far cry. To our mind bowls should 
not be used without some arrangement for 
keeping the flowers up, and as this can be 
easily managed with wire, there is-no rea- 
son against it. Then glasses should «!ways 
have rims on which the flowers can rest, 
and the fluted edges are far better than 
smooth, as the flutings keep each separate 
flower in place. As a rule 
Frowers Suoutp Nor Br Too Mucu 
Mrxep, 
and though several kinds of the same order 
—daisy-like, for instance—may be united, 
colors and sorts are far more effective sepa- 
rate. Take, for instance, a handful of the 
aforesaid composite—marguerites, anuual 
chrysanthemums, gaillardias, rudbeckias— 
mixed they will look very well, but sort 
the different glasses, and how much better 
the effect will be, and you may group your 
glasses as you like. All the 
Common SummEeR FLowers 
—snapdragons, Canterbury bells, mari- 
golds, mallows,.sweet peas, &c.—are charm- 
ing alone, but mixed they look vulgar, 
and their colors clash. There is nothing 
better for a rest to the eye among a mass 
of gay flowers than a vase of mignonette, 
which, by-the-way, should always be alone, 
as flowers mixed with it invariably die, 
but the patch of dull green among gay 
colors is wonderfully restful and fresh. 
FoiracE 
is a vexed question; in our opinion it is 
often overdone; many flowers which grow 
well above their leaves took far better 
when not overdone with green that does 
not belong to them, and though a ve'l of 
delicate fern gives an added charm to exo- 
tics, amass of common green spoils outdoor 
flowers. Nasturtiums are about the best 
flowers we know 
For Dinner TABLEs, 
and the transparency of their petals lights 
up beautifully at night, and you may 
either arrange for color with your flowers 
massed together or for shape, with each 
bloom standing separate and plenty of 
their own delicate leaves. If tea roses can 
be cut with buds and strong, long stalks, 
they are all the more beautiful, but it 
seems a waste sometimes. Dahliag should 
always go in shades or separate colors; 
their range of color is so enormous that 
together they can hardly help clashing ; 
and perennial sunflowers and Michaelmas 
daisies should be kept severely apart. We 
must add : 
Onze Worp Axsout AsPARAGus, 
“it is so light and pretty!” Yes! my dear 
madam, but it is a vegetable, not a fern, 
and gets dabby and messy, and your “light” 
arrangements are absurd, except on a 
small scale. Keep it out of the tall vases 
for Heaven’s sake, and fill large things 
with big leaves and flowers, and keep your 
“light foliage for small specimen glasses, 
and then forget it. 
MRSS: 
