498 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
May  28,  1898. 
does  well  in  a  cool  stove,  and  is  a  notable  plant.  Barren  fronds 
very  large,  rounded  at  the  base,  convex,  or  the  upper  ones  erect, 
deeply  laciniated  with  spreading  or  indexed  lobes,  fertile  fronds  in 
pairs,  thrown  out  at  right  angles  from  the  sterile  fronds,  and  3  to 
G  feet  in  length,  pendent  in  the  deeply  divided  long  segments. 
This  very  handsome  species  seldom,  if  ever,  produces  any  young 
plants  from  the  roots  ;  hence  it  is  increased  from  spores,  which  in 
the  prothallus  stage  are  very  prone  to  damp  off,  and  still  more  so 
in  the  potting  off  stage  of  the  young  plants,  great  caution  being 
necessary  in  supplying  water  to  the  sporelings. 
The  plant  succeeds  admirably  on  a  block  of  wood  hung  or 
affixed  to  the  wall  of  a  fernery,  the  wood  being  kept  evenly  moist, 
this  being  sufficient  in  most  cases  in  the  winter,  overmuch  water 
then  being  very  prejudicial  ;  indeed,  the  plants  seem  to  do  all  the 
be  ter  for  a  long  rest,  and  are  impatient  of  the  syringing  and 
watering  of  the  blocks,  so  frequently  indulged  in  with  epiphytal 
plants,  as  if  they  were  aquatics.  Abundant  air  moisture,  without 
directly  applying  it  over  the  plant*,  is  what  the  Stag’s-horn  Ferns 
delight  in  during  the  growing  season,  and  when  the  fronds  are 
formed  under  such  conditions  the  plants  may  be  used  for  conserva¬ 
tory  and  other  decorative  purposes,  their  fine  forms  contrasting 
well  with  the  more  finely  cut  fronded  species  of  Ferns  and  other 
foliage  plants. 
The  East  Indian  Elk’s-horn  Fern,  P.  biforme,  introduced  in 
1842,  is  seldom  seen,  but  it  is  a  very  remarkable  and  stately  Fern. 
Barren  fronds  very  thick  at  the  base,  imbricated,  with  the  edge 
sinuate  lobed  and  fertile  fronds  repeatedly  dichotomous  from  a 
subcuneate  disk,  altogether  6  to  18  feet  in  length  in  large  plants, 
very  imposing.  It  requires  a  srove  temperature,  abundance  of 
heat  and  moisture  during  the  growing  season,  and  after  that  almost 
as  great  modification  of  the  heat  and  moisture  as  a  Dendrobium, 
nothing  ruining  epiphytes  sooner  or  more  than  striving  to  keep 
them  constantly  in  growth  by  the  stew-pan  and  constantly-dripping- 
with  moisture  system  of  culture. — G.  Abbey. 
SUN-BURNING. 
This  term  ia  seldom  used  in  this  country,  for  the  simple  reason  that, 
as  it  applies  to  the  stems  of  trees,  the  affection  is  but  little  known  in 
Britain  in  comparison  with  its  prevalence  in  the  vineyards  and  orchards 
of  Central  Europe  and  the  United  States. 
The  form  of  trees,  as  well  as  the  selection  of  speeies  or  varieties,  for 
given  locations  should  be  made  with  a  knowledge  of  special  conditions 
governing  the  distribution  of  temperatures  and  other  natural  agencies. 
In  this  country,  especially  the  northern  parts,  standard  forms  take 
precedence  in  ornamental  and  fruit-bearing  trees,  also  in  the  Dominion 
of  Canada,  northern  parts  of  the  United  States,  and  northern  countries 
of  Europe,  for  experience  has  proved  that  the  farther  the  blossom  and 
incipient  fruit  of  the  tree  is  from  the  earth  the  less  danger  of  injury  or 
loss  of  crop  from  spring  frosts,  while  there  is  practically  nothing  to  dread 
on  account  of  sun-burning.  On  the  other  hand,  a  knowledge  of  special 
conditions  has  given  the  low-headed  tree  precedence  in  hotter,  and  in 
consequence  more  liable  to  sun-burn,  interior  locations.  Nevertheless 
the  standard  everywhere  is  the  prevailing  form,  the  high  being  most  and 
the  low  least  liable  to  suffer  from  stem  sun-burning. 
Although  Britain  is  always  under  sea  influences,  it  has  its  coast, 
valley,  foot-hill,  and  mountain  climates,  and  .may  be  briefly  alluded  to 
for  purposes  of  culture  and  as  bearing  on  the  subject  in  hand. 
Coast. — The  chief  characteristics  of  the  coast  climate  are  equable 
temperature,  increasing  southwards  ;  summer  cool  and  winter  warm  as 
compared  with  the  interior  ;  a  somewhat  humid  atmosphere,  and  though 
subject  to  frequent  fogs,  the  sra  coast  receives  more  sunshine  than  the 
inland  parts  of  the  country.  This  is  natural,  as  the  sea  coasts  are  low, 
as  a  rule,  and  clouds  form  inland  where  the  ground  rises  to  hills.  The 
south  and  west  coasts  are  particularly  favoured  in  almost  all  months  of 
the  year,  and  especially  so  the  Channel  Islands.  The  east  coast  of  Great 
Britain,  as  represented  by  Aberdeen,  Geldeston,  and  Hillington,  is  com¬ 
paratively  sunny.  In  the  summer  aud  early  autumn  the  north-west  of 
Ireland  and  of  Scotland,  with  the  Orkneys,  receive  very  little  sunshine, 
but  in  the  late  autumn  Ireland  generally  receives  more  sunshine  than  do 
most  parts  of  England.  In  the  spring  and  early  summer  the  winds  are 
generally  easterly,  but  during  the  summer  and  autumn  westerly  winds 
prevail ;  while  in  winter  the  northerly  and  easterly  winds  are  about 
equal  with  those  from  the  west. 
The  extension  of  coast  influences  is  governed  by  local  topography. 
Valleys  open  to  coast  winds  are  cooler  and  moister  than  those  sheltered 
by  intervening  ranges.  On  the  other  hand,  situations  sheltered  from 
he  north  and  east  favour  the  growth  of  trees,  even  though  quite  near 
the  coast.  Sometimes  a  wind  screen,  than  which  for  standing  sea  breezes 
nothing  surpasses  the  common  Elder,  so  modifies  coast  influences  that 
fruit  trees  do  exceedingly  well,  especially  Apples  and  Pears,  also  Figs 
where  the  climate  is  suitable.  The  scab  blight  of  the  Apple  and  leaf 
blister  of  the  Peach  are  common  in  coast  valleys,  on  the  hills  abutting, 
as  well  as  low-lying  parts  of  the  ravines.  Lichen  and  moss  gather 
quickly  directly  under  coast  influences,  but  alkaline  washea  in  winter 
cleanse  the  baik  from  parasitic  as  well  as  epiphytal  vegetable  growth. 
Although  the  trees  on  coasts  are  not  subject  to  sunburn,  low-be8ded 
withstand  winds  much  better  than  standards,  but  plenty  of  room  must 
be  given  them,  so  that  sunshine  may  have  free  access  to  warm  the  ground 
all  round  the  tree. 
Interior  Valley. — The  characteristics  of  this  are  higher  summer 
and  lower  winter  temperatures  than  on  the  coast  ;  winds  occasionally 
strong,  hot  in  summer  and  cold  in  winter,  subject  to  mists  in  autumn, 
severe  frosts  in  winter,  moisture  and  damage  from  frosts  in  spring,  and 
dews  in  Bummer  somewhat  compensating  for  parching  heat.  Valley, 
however,  is  a  broad  term,  and  includes  everything  from  the  coast  to 
elevations  on  the  Blopes  of  mountains.  Some  valleys,  protected  from 
cold  northerly  and  easterly  winds,  withal  sheltered  from  tr.e  strong 
moisture-laden  or  fog-bearing  westerly  winds,  and  open  to  spring  sun¬ 
shine  and  summer  sun,  have  a  forcing  climate  which  produces  the 
earliest  maturing  fruit  or  crops  of  the  season — earlier  not  only  than 
the  coast,  but  also  somewhat  earlier  than  adjacent  locations  in  the  broad 
open  valley.  Slight  elevations  frequently  secure  freedom  from  spring 
frosts,  while  elevations  above  sea  level,  on  the  rims  of  valleys  facing 
south,  comprises  the  thermal  belts,  in  which  semi-tropical  crops  or  very 
early  ones  are  produced. 
Apples  and  Pears  attain  great  perfection  on  such  elevated  and  warm 
situations,  but  the  trees  suffer  from  hot  winds  in  summer  and  sun-burn, 
and  it  is  much  the  same  in  the  great  plains  or  valleys  of  Central  Europe, 
Central  and  Western  United  States,  the  great  heat  and  dry  air  seriously 
affectiDg  both  fruit  and  foliage,  and  this  is  seen  in  modified  degrees  in 
the  interior  of  this  country,  where  “  borers  ”  are  most  found  in  stems 
that  are  exposed  to  the  direct  rays  of  the  sun. 
Foot-hill  Locations. — This  is  a  mere  modification  of  the  valley, 
which  implies  greatest  heat,  for  every  100  feet  of  elevation  means  half  a 
degree  less  temperature,  and  about  1  inch  more  rainfall.  The  slopes  of 
the  Medway  valley  are  typical  of  foot-hill  climate,  where  there  is 
advantage  of  early  spring  heat  and  freedom  from  tbe  frosts  that  nip  the 
harvest  of  the  valley  grower  in  the  bud,  for  it  is  usually  in  the  valley 
bottoms,  moist  lands,  and  wet  swales  that  late  spring  frosts  commit 
most  havoc.  Colour  of  soil  may  have  something  to  do  with  this,  also 
sun-burn  in  summer  and  frost-bite  in  winter.  Growth  on  black  and 
dark-coloured  soils,  even  when  well  drained  and  warm,  is  liable  to 
suffer  from  frost,  while  that  on  red  lands  and  that  of  chalky  ashen  hue 
escape.  This  is  due  to  the  sun  warming  tbe  soil  more  on  the  darker 
than  lighter  surface,  hence  the  spring  growth  is  forwarder  and  suffers 
more  than  adjoining  land  of  a  different  description.  Besides,  cold  air 
settles  in  low  places,  flowing  down  hill-sides  to  the  bottom  of  valleys, 
while  the  warm  air  rises  and  bathes  the  adjacent  foot-hill  locations, 
consequently  there  is  frost  in  the  hollow  and  freedom  from  it  on  the 
hill-side.  More,  the  constant  motion  of  the  air  on  the  slopes  is  also,  to  a 
certain  extent,  a  preventive  of  frost. 
Mountain. — About  500  feet  above  the  coast  line,  even  with  pro¬ 
tection  from  north,  east,  and  westerly  winds,  conditions  gradually  intrude 
which  become  untrustworthy  as  great  elevation  is  attained,  hence  the 
trees  for  such  location  have  to  be  chosen  with  circumspection.  Neverthe¬ 
less,  the  hardier  Apples  and  Plums  thrive  on  broad  hills,  Gooseberries 
and  other  bush  fruits  being  produced  nowhere  else  so  abundantly,  and  of 
a  choice  quality.  April  and  May  frosts  may  work  ruin  in  the  valley 
orchards  and  fruit  plantations,  but  the  blossoms  and  incipient  fruits  of 
trees  in  their  natural  positions  are  seldom  cut  off  by  even  late  frosts. 
Follow  Nature  in  the  choice  of  sites  for  every  species  of  plants,  then 
little  hazard  attends  the  culture  of  the  hardier  even  in  elevated  situations, 
while  the  beauty,  quality,  and  keeping  properties  of  the  mountain  fruits 
are  proverbial. 
Sun-burning  is  not  known  in  the  mountain,  but  it  is  found  in 
trees  which  are  taken  from  the  original  position  of  the  species  on  the 
broad  tops  or  sides  of  ridges,  and  placed  on  open  plains,  at  the  bottoms 
of  pent  up  valleys,  or  narrow  ravines.  Sun-burning  is  not  known  in 
Nature,  for  the  seedling  is  always  provided  with  leaves,  and  as  growth 
advances  the  stem  is  so  protected  by  the  foliage  above  that  stem  sun¬ 
burning  cannot  possibly  occur,  hence  the  affection  is  an  outcome  of 
cultivation,  which  will  be  referred  to  on  a  future  occas’on. — G. 
HORTICULTURAL  SHOWS. 
MANCHESTER.— May  21st  to  27th. 
This  annual  show  was  opened  on  Thursday  last  by  the  Right  Hon. 
the  Earl  of  Derby,  G.C.B.,  who  was  accompanied  on  his  tour  of  inspec¬ 
tion  by  Mr.  Bruce  Findlay.  The  latter  gentleman,  we  are  sorry  to  say, 
is  at  the  present  time  in  very  feeble  health,  but  it  is  sincerely  to  be 
hoped  that  with  the  summer  weather  before  him  he  may  be  able  to 
regain  his  strength,  and  be  the  same  useful  head  of  the  garden  which  at 
the  present  time  looks  so  beautiful. 
At  the  opening  ceremony  Lord  Derby  was  introduced  by  the  Dean 
of  Manchester  (Dr.  Maclure).  His  Lordship  said  that  it  was  mainly 
owiDg  to  Mr.  Bruce  Findlay  that  the  exhibitions  had  for  many  years 
achieved  such  a  success.  The  exhibition  appeared  to  be  a  very  beautiful 
one,  and  he  trusted  that  it  would  be  supported  by  the  public,  who  could 
see  for  themselves,  and  inspire  others  with  that  belief  in  horticulture 
and  in  the  skill  of  the  present  dry,  which  did  so  much  to  make  these 
exhibitions  and  others  attractive. 
Comparing  the  present  show  with  former  ones  there  was  a  falling 
off  in  exhibits,  which  was  easily  accounted  for  by  the  fact  that  many  who 
staged  were  also  represented  at  tbe  great  Temple  show,  and  for  the 
benefit  of  all  concerned  it  would  be  well  if  this  could  be  avoided  on  a 
future  occasion.  It  is  not  difficult  to  see  in  what  direction  the  tastes  of 
the  Manchester  horticulturists  are  bent,  and  they  deserve  the  highest 
possible  commendation  for  the  fine  display  of  Orchids  which  are  from 
