June  18  l«9S. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER 
567 
Ferns,”  1859  varieties,  of  which  thirty-four  were  forma  of  Adiantum 
capillus-Veneris,  sixteen  of  Asplenium  adiantum  nigrum,  313  of  Athyrium 
filix-fcemina,  seventy-five  of  Polypodium  vulgare,  391  of  Pulystichum 
angulare,  thirty-four  of  A  aculeatum,  and  150  of  Scolopendrium  vulgare 
Tie  diversity  of  character  afforded  by  the  varieties  was  shown  by 
specimens  of  about  fifty  of  the  finest  forms  brought  by  the  lecturer  to 
illustrate  his  remarks.  It  was,  of  course,  not  necessary  the  cultivator 
should  commence  with  any  considerable  proportion  of  the  immense 
number  of  varieties.  So  far  from  this  being  the  case,  he  advised  the 
beginner  to  be  satisfied  with  a  few  only  at  the  first,  and  to  increase  his 
collection  as  opportunities  offered. 
He  suggested  the  following  as  comprising  the  belt  for  forming  the 
nucleus  of  a  collection  : — Of  the  varieties  of  the  Lady  Fern  (Athyrium 
filix-fcemina)  :  Applebyanum,  corymbiferum,  cruciato-cristatura,  curtum 
multifidum,  Elworthi,  Frizellire  cristatum,  glomeratum,  plumosum, 
plumosum  multifidum,  plumosum  elegans,  ramo-cristatum,  setigerum, 
Vernonire  and  Victorias.  Of  the  Broad  Buckler  Fern  (Lastrea  dilatata)  : 
crispato-cristata,  foliosa-digitata,  and  grandiceps.  Of  the  forms  of  the 
Male  Fern  (Lastrea  filix-mas)  :  Bollandire,  digitato-Jonesi,  fluctosa,  and 
grandiceps  ;  cristata  and  grandiceps  of  the  forms  of  L.  propinqua,  and 
cristata  angustafa,  cristatum  and  ramo-cristata  of  the  forms  of  L.  pseudo- 
mas.  Of  the  varieties  of  the  common  Polypody  (Polypodium  vulgare), 
bifido-cristatum,  Cambricum,  triehomanoides,  cristatum,  grandiceps, 
pulcherrimum,  and  semilacerum.  Of  the  forms  of  the  Prickly  Shield 
Fern  (Polyeticbum  angulare)  :  Bayliae,  cristato-Jonesi,  divisiiobum  plumo- 
Bum,  lolioso-multifidum,  grandiceps,  remoto-decurrens,  and  tripinnatum 
elegans.  Of  the  forms  of  the  Hart’s-tongue  (Scolopendrium  vulgare), 
conglomeratum,  crispum,  crispum  majus,  crispum  Stabler*,  cristatum, 
cristulatum,  digitatum  majus,  grandiceps,  laceratum,  and  ramo-margi- 
natum. 
The  cultivator  who  had  made  considerable  progress  with  British 
Ferns  would  net  be  satisfied  with  the  varieties  of  the  species  he  had 
mentioned,  but  would  include  in  his  collection  the  various  Spleenworts, 
the  Hard  Ferns,  or  Biechnums,  and  the  Bladder  Ferns,  or  Cystopteris, 
of  which  there  were  many  beautiful  forms,  and  the  Oak,  the  Beech,  and 
Royal  Ferns,  the  last  named  being  especially  useful  for  planting  in 
moist  positions. 
Proceeding  to  speak  of  the  cultural  requirements  of  British  Ferns,  it 
was  pointed  out  that  the  Athyria,  Lastreas,  Polystichums  and  Scolopen- 
driums  thrive  in  any  good  garden  soil,  and  that  the  Polypodiums  make 
the  most  satisfactory  growth  in  peat.  When  the  soil  is  close  in  texture 
a  liberal  addition  of  grit,  decayed  vegetable  refuse,  and  charred  rubbish 
would  be  advantageous  ;  but  maiden  loam,  so  frequently  recommended 
for  Ferns  to  be  grown  in  the  open,  was  an  expensive  luxury  that  could 
well  be  dispensed  with.  An  ideal  position  for  Ferns  in  the  open  was 
said  to  be  a  border  on  the  north  side  of  a  wall,  fence,  or  hedge,  where 
the  Ferns  would  be  screened  from  the  direct  rays  of  the  sun,  and  not  be 
exposed  to  sharp  currents  of  air.  It  was  strongly  advised  that  when 
Ferns  are  planted  above  the  level  the  mound  or  bank  should  be  of 
sufficient  depth  to  contain  a  good  body  of  soil,  so  that  it  may  not  dry  so 
quickly  as  to  expose  the  plants  to  the  risk  of  injury  from  a  few  days 
drought. 
Witu  reference  to  the  formation  of  rockeries  for  Ferns,  it  was  sug¬ 
gested  that  the  best  results  would  be  obtained  by  forming  an  irregular 
bank  of  soil  of  the  desired  length  and  depth,  and  then  with  burrs,  tufa, 
sandstone,  or  other  available  material,  arrange  a  series  of  ledges  and 
plant  the  Ferns  in  their  positions.  When  this  is  done  it  was  pointed 
out  the  soil,  plants,  and  rockwork  sink  together.  It  would,  after  a  little 
practice,  be  found  a  simple  matter  to  so  arrange  the  material  used  for 
facing  the  bank  as  to  give  it  much  the  aspect  of  a  natural  rockery,  and 
prevent  the  water  running  away  down  the  slope  instead  of  soaking  into 
the  ground.  One  of  the  most  important  points  in  the  cultivation  of 
British  Ferns  in  the  open  was  to  keep  them  well  supplied  with  water 
during  periods  of  dry  weather  early  in  the  season.  Speaking  generally, 
overhead  sprinklings  were  described  as  of  but  little  value  as  compared 
with  copious  root  waterings.  It  was  advised  that  while  the  soil  must  ; 
not  be  maintained  in  a  saturated  state  sufficient  water  should  be  applied 
to  thoroughly  moisten  it  to  the  depth  to  which  the  roots  have  extended. 
The  cultivation  of  British  Ferns  in  pots  was  lightly  touched  upon, 
and  it  was  suggested  that  by  the  aid  of  a  good  selection  many  green¬ 
houses  and  conservatories  occupying  shaded  positions  in  town  gardens, 
and  now  lam  and  desolate,  might  be  converted  into  a  veritable  Fern 
paradise.  The  essential  conditions  of  success  were  said  to  be  well- 
drained  pots,  a  substantial  compost,  careful  watering,  and  shade  during 
bri  ht  weather.  With  reference  to  the  compost,  one  consisting  of  turfy 
peat  and  liberal  proportions  of  leaf  mould  and  sand  was  recommended 
for  the  Polypcdiums  and  Spleenworts,  and  for  the  Athyrias,  Lastrea?, 
Polystichums,  and  Scolopendriums  a  compost  consisting  of  turfy  loam, 
leaf  mould,  powdery  cow  manure,  and  coarse  silver  sand  was  advised. 
The  importance  of  moistening  the  whole  of  the  soil  at  each  watering 
was  insisted  upon,  and  it  was  pointed  out  that  when  the  plants  are  at 
rest  the  soil  must  be  maintained  in  a  moderately  moist  state,  for  when, 
as  so  frequently  happens,  the  soil  is  allowed  to  become  dust  dry,  and 
remain  so  for  any  considerable  period,  the  plants  are  greatly  injured,  if 
not  killed.  Repotting  in  spring  was  advised,  but  it  was  pointed  out  that 
annual  repottings  were  not  necessary,  as  the  plants  would  be  maintained 
in  the  most  vigorous  condition  for  several  years  without  disturbance  at 
the  roots,  by  assisting  them  with  weak  liquid  manure — that  prepared 
by  steeping  cow  manure  in  water  and  used  in  a  highly  diluted  state 
being  recommended  as  the  best. 
At  the  close  of  the  lecture  hearty  votes  of  thanks  were  accorded  the 
Chairman  and  Mr.  Gordon. 
THE  DROUGHT. 
When  the  woes  of  the  farmer  and  the  gardener  of  every  class 
becomes  the  theme  of  regret  in  the  ordinary  Press,  then  must  these  woes 
be  great  indeed.  It  is  too  much  to  be  feared  that  few  outside  the  ranks 
of  those  actually  engaged  in  the  working  of  the  soil  fully  realise  how 
great  are  the  troubles  which  arise  from  variations  of  climate,  such  as  we 
have  seen  in  the  drought,  and  may  in  a  short  time  see  in  totally  diverse 
and  not  less  adverse  conditions.  The  woes  of  agriculture  may  be  many, 
those  of  gardening  are  no  fewer,  but  the  gardener,  by  his  deep  and  more 
scientific,  or  shall  I  say  sensible,  culture,  accomplishes  far  more  in  the 
effort  to  mitigate  them  than  does  the  farmer,  whose  land  is  but  shallow 
worked,  and  has  in  it  rather  a  minimum  than  a  maximum  of  plant  food. 
Not  fifty  State  Relief  Acts  can  mitigate  the  effects  of  adverse 
seasons,  whilst  the  best  of  relief,  found  in  deeper  culture  and  higher 
soil  feeding,  is  not  likely  to  be  helped  by  Relief  Acts  that  rather  tend 
to  put  a  premium  on  inaction.  Nature  is  said  to  be  great  in  averages. 
If  that  be  so,  then  there  will  be  a  very  wet  time  some  day,  when  we 
may  find  the  rainfall  so  continuous  as  to  be  in  that  way  as  much  a 
disaster  as  the  drought.  When  we  remember  the  exceedingly  long  spell 
of  heat  and  drought  experienced  last  year,  broken  almost  only  by  some 
most  welcome  but  not  lengthened  rains  in  the  autumn  ;  the  compara¬ 
tively  dry  weather  of  the  winter,  though  so  mild  and  altogether  so  open  ; 
and,  farther,  the  long-continued  dryness  of  an  almost  unprecedented 
kind  experienced  so  far  this  spring,  we  may  well  express  woider  that 
vegetation  has  endured  so  admirably  as  it  ha*.  S  ill  farther  may  we 
speculate  as  to  the  amount  of  rain  really  due  to  us  if  Nature’s  averages 
are  to  be  made  good. 
A  thoroughly  wet  winter,  not  at  all  a  desirable  time,  seems  to  be 
needed  to  set  things  right,  and  if  it  does  not  soon  come  it  is  to  be  feared 
that  a  third  dry  year  may  break  down  soil  cultivation  altogether.  If 
it  needs  all  the  resources  of  an  abundant  water  supply  and  much  extra 
labour  to  keep  crops  in  a  growing  state  where  such  luxuries  are  to  be 
had,  what  must  be  the  difficulties  under  which  those  cultivators  of  every 
class  labour  who  have  no  such  resources,  and  with  even  a  moderate 
water  supply,  can  utilise  none  except  through  the  primitive  water  pot? 
Probably  there  is  no  description  of  labour  in  gardens  so  onerous  as  is 
that  created  by  the  free  use  of  the  water  pot. 
Nurserymen  have  found  in  the  spring  drought  grave  troubles  arising 
from  the  necessities  of  late  transplanting.  Evergreens  especially  have 
very  much  suffered,  and  even  though  occasionally  watere  ',  for  systematic 
soakings  would  have  been  impossible  ;  yet  because  of  root  disruption  it 
has  not  been  found  possible  to  keep  the  leafage  full  of  sap,  the  aridity 
of  the  atmosphere  having  proved  so  absorbent.  How  much  all  this 
shows  the  great  need  there  is  for  such  a  condition  of  things  in  soil 
culture  as  that  we  may  be  independent  of  Nature’s  eccentricities  in 
relation  to  water  supplies.  Those  who  have  a  constant  supply  through 
a  water  company,  or  where  steam  or  other  agencies  lift  water  in  plenty, 
to  a  large  extent  are  independent  of  Nature  ;  but  then  relatively  these 
are  the  few,  and  chiefly  the  gardens  of  the  wealthy.  But  in  the  fields, 
where  grass,  corn,  roots  and  hops  are  produced,  or  in  market  and  private 
gardens  and  allotments,  where  all  descriptions  of  vegetables  are  grown, 
there  are  practically  no  such  resources,  indeed  in  all  these  cases  the  chief 
dependence  has  to  be  placed  on  deeply  worked  soil ;  for  where  that  is 
not  found  the  case  of  the  crops  is  bad  indeed. 
How  strange  it  seems,  yet  how  illustrative  of  our  wasteful  practices, 
that  whilst  the  very  soil  seems  to  cry  aloud,  as  if  in  pain,  and  thirst 
for  water,  we  are  just  now  pouring  millions  of  gallons  of  water  in  the 
form  of  sewage  into  the  sea,  whilst  could  it  be  utilised  for  soaking  or 
irrigating  all  sorts  of  crops  it  would  be  found  to  return  in  produce  to 
the  nation  greatly  needed  wealth.  How  wonderfully  efficacious  would 
sewage  applications  have  proved  to  fruit  trees,  bushes,  and  Strawberry 
plants  during  the  past  month.  The  drought  has  been  largely  productive 
of  the  serious  thinning  of  fruits,  for  since  the  original  setting  these  have 
fallen  so  much  as  to  change  what  was  once  great  promise  of  a  crop  into 
comparative  ihinness. 
Dryness  at  the  roots  has  greatly  helped  insect  development  and 
injury,  because  the  growth  of  wood  and  leafage  was  weakened  through 
lack  of  root  moisture.  There  is  a  little  indication  that  a  changh  to 
moisture  is  imminent,  but  the  indication  so  far  is  not  of  a  permanent 
or  general  kind.  It  is  rather  local  and  partial.  That  may  be  some 
gain,  but  whilst  no  one  wants  to  see  a  wet  summer,  it  is  certain  that 
all  working  the  soil  do  desire  a  thorough  saturation,  so  as  to  enable 
crops  to  fully  develop,  and  in  the  end  bring  back  some  return  for  all 
the  cost  and  labour  expended  in  their  primary  production. — A.  D. 
P.S. — i  bad  just  written  the  above  when  rain  began  to  fall,  and 
during  some  eighteen  hours  we  had  a  delightful  moistening  that  was 
most  welcome.  Still  there  was  not  much  of  rain  after  all,  as  owing  to 
the  exceedingly  parched  condition  of  the  ground  not  only  was  the 
moisture  quickly  absorbed,  and  even  converted  into  vapour,  but  at  the 
most  it  did  not  penetrate  more  than  2  inches.  As  evidence  of  the 
nature  of  the  soil  beneath  I  may  mention  that  on  the  day  after  the 
rainfall  I  observed  in  a  field  where  Potatoes  were  being  earthed  by  a 
plough  that  the  operation  created  quite  a  cloud  of  dust.  With  since 
considerable  sun  heat  I  fear,  unless  other  rains  follow  speedily,  the 
good  effects  of  the  rain  of  the  10th  will  soon  disappear,  and  the  soil  will 
be  as  dry  as  ever. 
Where  roots  were  too  deep  in  the  ground  to  find  benefit  from  the 
moisture,  no  doubt  at  least  for  a  short  time  foliage  materially  benefited, 
as  the  previous  arid  condition  of  the  atmosphere,  combined  with  the 
hotness  of  the  soil,  was  exceedingly  trying  for  vegetation.  There  can  be 
no  doubt  but  that  frequent  dampings  of  the  leafage  of  plants  during 
