March  13,|1902. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GAnOENER. 
221 
King  Edward  VII.  as  a  Tree  Planter. 
In  aiH  age  when  there  is  too  great  a  tendency  to  cut  down 
^ees  rather  than  to  plant  them,  the  splendid  example  set  by 
Jtoyalty  during  recent  generations,  should  have  the  effect  of 
creating  an  extended  interest  in  planting,  and  perhaps  in  time 
we  may  have  a  national  tree  planting  day  each  year,  when  both 
children  and  adults  will  turn  out  in  their  thousands  to  set  by 
Mother  Earth  some  useful  or  beautiful  types  of  trees, 
which  in  future  years  shall  spread  their  branches  far  and  wide. 
Around  the  stately  homes  of  England  features  of  interest  abound, 
some  are  transient  indeed,  others — such  as  fast  developing  trees 
—will  stand  out  in  greater  grandeur  as  the  years  roll  on.  The 
pleasing  custom,  adopted  by  many  members  of  the  Royal  Family, 
of  planting  trees  to  commemorate  their  visits  to  various  estates 
creating  special  features  of  interest  in 
widely  distributed  districts,  and  serves  to  show  in  a  tangible  way 
the  inherent  love  for  the  “  most  ancient  of  all  arts/^  which  reigns 
to  some  extent  in  the  breast  of  king  and  peasant  alike.  This 
much  IS  apparent  at  present,  but  what  about  the  times  to  come  . P 
Assuredly  we  may  hope  that  in  future  ages  the  names  of  earlier 
monarchs  will  live  in  the  “  hearts  of  the  people,”  not  through 
history  alone,  but  also  by  reason  of  the  grand  proportions  of 
stately  trees,  wliich  rear  their  heads  or  spread.out  their  branches 
far  and  wide  within  the  domains  of  those  whom  Royalty  has 
delighted  to  honour.  When  records  are  made  of  the  dates  of  plant¬ 
ing,  and  imperishable  labels  affixed,  the  history  of  such  trees  is 
apparent  to  all  who  see  them,  and  in  the  whole  district  around 
succeeding  generations  are  imbued  with  special  interest  in  the 
monarchs  of  the  past,  as  well  as  in  the  rulers  of  the  day  ;  and  who 
will  say  that  such  “  living  monuments  ”  which  endure  throughout 
the  changes  of  centuries  are  not  typical  of  the  British  steadfast¬ 
ness  for  a  reigning  house  ? 
King  Edward  VII.,  during  the  long  period  in  which  he  was 
Keir  Apparent  to  the  Throne  was  a  persistent  tree  planter, 
and  did  more  than  any  living  ruler  to  popularise  the  pretty 
custom  of  leaving  behind  a  memento  of  a  visit  to  some  place  of 
note,  in  the  shape  of  a  well  planted  tree,  destined  to  stand  out 
as  a  mark  of  Royal  favour  in  the  ages  yet  unborn.  In  the  grounds 
around  many  notable  gardens  such  trees  may  be  seen  to-day, 
the  history  of  their  planting  recorded  on  the  label  beneath, 
and  I  doubt  not  that  many  interesting  stories  could  be  related 
by  those  present  at  such  functions  about  the  King’s  kind  thought¬ 
fulness,  interest  in,  and  knowledge  of  such  work.  I,  however, 
can  only  write  of  instances  which  have  come  under  my  personal 
notice. 
Wanvick  is  famed  throughout  the  world  on  account  of  its 
ancient  castle,  which  is  admittedly  the  most  artistically  beautri 
ful,  and  historically  rich  among  all  the  splendid  homes  of  Britain, 
The  delightful  grounds  which  surround  it  are  singularly  rich  in 
Royal  trees,  and  in  prominent  positions  may  be  seen  examples 
pknted  by  three  generations  of  the  Royal  house.  The  late 
Prince  Consort  planted  a  Sequoia  (Wellingtonia)  gigantea,  which 
is  now  30ft  or  40ft  in  height.  Near  by  is  a  splendidly  pro¬ 
portioned  and  thriving  Oak,  planted  by  Victoria  the  Good. 
King  Edward  VII.,  while  Prince  of  Wales,  planted  two  sturdy 
Cedars  of  Lebanon  on  different  occasions,  and  the  present  Prince 
of  Wales,  when  Duke  of  York,  planted  one.  The  grounds  at 
Warwick  have  long  been  noted  for  their  magnificent  Cedars ;  it 
was,  therefore,  a  wise  step  to  select  for  Royal  planters  trees  so 
well  adapted  to  their  surroundings.  In  June,  1892,  the  Royal 
Agricultural  Show  was  held  in  Warwick  Castle  Park ;  this  was 
opened  by  the  Prince  of  Wales,  who,  to  the  delight  of  the 
surrounding  inhabitants,  stayed  some  days  at  the  Castle.  Before 
leaving  His  Royal  Highness  planted  a  healthy  Cedar,  which  is 
now  advancing  rapidly.  A  few  years  later  the  same  Royal  hands 
planted  another  Cedar  near  to  the  site  formerly  occupied  by 
splendid  specimens  blown  down  by  the  gale  of  March,  1895.  I 
was  privileged  to  be  present  on  both  interesting  occasions,  and 
well  remember  that,  while  surrounded  by  a  brdliant  company, 
the  head  of  our  mighty  Empire  handled  the  brightly  polished 
spade  with  the  ease  and  practical  knowledge  of  a  finished  planter, 
combined  with  the  real  grace  of  a  king.  It  was  no  mere  formal 
operation,  but  a  systematic  and  thorough  bit  of  tree  planting.  A 
large  hole,  and  plenty  of  good  soil  had  previously  been  prepared. 
Each  tree  root  was  spread  out  at  full  length,  and  each  in  turn 
covered  with  crumbling  earth  from  the  “  Royal  spade  ”  until  the 
hole  had  been  filled  in  and  the  soil  made  firm.  If  every  tree 
planter  adopted  such  thorough  methods,  many  trees  in  Britain 
which  to-day  are  stunted,  would  be  growing  with  strength  and 
vigour.  Wnen  the  second  Royal  tree  was  planted,  the  same 
thorough  methods  were  adopted,  and  the  (then)  Prince  thouglu- 
fully  inquired  after  the  welfare  of  the  previously  planted  tree, 
and  when  informed  of  its  good  progress,  expressed  the  hope  that 
the  one  before  him  would  succeed  equally  well. 
Royal  trees,  I  think,  usually  thrive,  even  when  planted  in  the 
height  of  summer,  as,  of  course,  an  evergreen  kind  or  one  growing 
in  a  pot  is  then  selected,  the  necessary  shade  for  a  time  and  the 
daily  sprinklings  with  water  help  to  keep  the  tree  fresh  till  new 
roots  have  formed,  and  such  matters  generally  receive  a  very  full 
share  of  attention.  All  who  have  come  in  contact  with  the 
Monarch  who  to-day  holds  sway  over  Britain,  and  that  greater 
Britain  beyond  the  seas,  must  have  been  struck  with  his  great 
force  of  character,  his  kindly  thought,  his  grasp  of  detail,  and 
the  kingly  way  in  which  he  sets  at  ease  all  around  him,  as  Avell 
as  by  his  magnetic  influence  in  creating  intense  interest  in  the 
doings  of  the  hour.  During  the  memorable  year  on  which  we 
have  already  entered,  let  us  hope  that  millions  of  trees  will  be 
planted  throughout  the  Empire,  to  commemorate  the  crowning 
of  King  Edward  VII.  ;  trees  which  will  stand  firm  and  strong 
in  the  ages  to  come,  like  the  true  British  Oak,  which  sends  out 
its  roots  far  and  wide,  as  does  the  race  it  typifies,  whose  children 
gather  from  the  four  comers  of  the  earth  to  uphold  the  parent’s 
cause,  and  to  pay  homage  to  their  King. — A  Loyal  Subject. 
Greenhouse  Ferns. 
Well-grown  Ferns  are  undoubtedly  beautiful  objects  in  the 
greenhouse  mixed  with  flowering  plants,  and  should  be  grown 
not  only  for  the  beauty  and  gracefulness  of  themselves  alone, 
but  because  they  are  essential  for  enhancing  the  good  points  of 
both  flowering  and  foliage  plants.  The  range  of  varieties  of  beau¬ 
tiful  Ferns  which  may  be  grown  under  greenhouse  treatment, 
especially  if  moisture  and  shade  can  be  readily  afforded,  is  fairly 
extensive.  Plenty  of  light,  but  shade  from  direct  sunshine,  is 
important.  Air  should  be  liberally  supplied  after  the  growths 
become  somewhat  matured,  while  adequate  moisture  is  best  en¬ 
sured  by  giving  the  plants  moist  cool  positions  for  the  pots  to 
stand  upon.  Small  spar,  or  even  sand  or  coal  ashes,  is  suitable. 
For  appearance  sake  the  spar  is  best,  but  sand  or  fine  cinders 
act  equally  well  in  holding  moisture.  Good  Ferns  may,  how¬ 
ever,  be  grown  without  standing  on  a  moist  base,  though  the 
latter  is  preferable.  As  a  plunging  material  for  pots,  small  or 
large,  nothing  equals  cocoa-nut  fibre  refuse,  and  a  small  corner 
may  well  be  set  apart  in  a  shady  spot  where  small  seedlings  can 
be  grown  undeir  favourable  conditions  without  constantly 
deluging  them  with  water  at  the  roots.  They  will  grow  much 
better  and  quicker  if  they  can  be  kept  constantly  moist  in  a 
medium  where  it  is  not  necessary  to  constantly  saturate  the  soil. 
Among  greenhouse  Ferns  the  Adiantums  stand  forth  as  par¬ 
ticularly  adapted  to  the  conditions  of  this  structure.  First  may 
be  mentioned  the  universal  favourite,  Adiantum  cuneatum,  com¬ 
monly  known  as  Maidenhair  Fern.  This  does  admirably  under 
greenhouse  treatment,  and  fine  specimens  can  be  grown  if  a 
moderate  amount  of  fresh  root  space  is  accorded  to  the  plants 
each  year,  supposing  they  have  become  pot-bound.  Small  plants 
may  be  potted  on  into  larger  sizes  to  form  good  specimens,  while 
large  plants  which  it  is  not  desirable  to  grow  to  a  greater  size 
may  be  divided  by  cutting  into  two  or  four.  This  may  be  done 
in  March  or  April,  but  where  plenty  of  heat  can  be  afforded  to 
give  a  start,  this  work  can  be  carried  out  earlier.  An  excellent 
compost  consists  of  equal  parts  of  fibrous,  turfy  loam,  sweet  leaf 
soil,  a  little  peat,  with  some  coarse  sand  and  charcoal.  Drain  the 
pots  sufficiently,  and  see  that  the  ball  of  roots  is  thoroughly 
moist;  use  the  compost  also  moist.  After  potting,  water  but 
lightly,  until  the  new  roots  begin  to  work  freely.  After  this, 
ample  supplies  will  be  needed,  for  the  plants  must  never  suffer. 
A.  assimile  is  very  free  growing,  and  of  a  graceful  pending 
habit.  It  is  best  suited  as  a  basket  Fern  in  a  damp,  shady  posi¬ 
tion.  Repotting  or  division  is  usually  needed  each  season,  or 
the  fronds  are  very  poor.  Another  good  basket  Fern  is  A. 
ciliatum.  The  fronds  spring  from  a  central  crown,  and  each 
is  furnished  with  deeply  cut  and  fringed  pinnae.  At  the  points 
of  the  fronds  young  plants  grow  and  develop  fronds,  these  again 
sending  out  other  plants.  This  variety  does  not  require  a  large 
basket.  Adiantum  gracillimum  is  a  most  charming  variety.  The 
fronds  are  so  light  and  graceful,  owing  to  its  having  such  a  large 
number  of  minute  pinnules,  that  it  almost  has  the  appearance 
of  lacework.  A  few  plants  should  be  grown  in  a  collection, 
though  it  is  not  so  generally  useful  as  A.  cuneatum.  All  the 
varieties  of  Adiantums  mentioned  will  succeed  in  the  compost 
recommended  for  A.  cuneatum.  There  are  other  varieties  not  so 
generally  grown  which  are  adapted  for  greenhouse  cultivation. 
