July  18,  1901. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
51 
'Tremayne,  deep  yellow,  edged  scarlet  ;  Hygeia,  medium  edge  of  rose 
piDk,  and  clear  yellow  ground ;  Day  Dream,  flowers  full  and  of  good 
form,  scarlet  margin,  barred  with  same  colour ;  Heather  Bell,  a  hand¬ 
some  sort  with  rose-pink  edge ;  Borderer,  clear  yellow,  with  a  clear 
rosy  edge;  together  with  Day  Dream,  Alberta,  His  Exoellency,  Lady 
Bristol,  and  Duke  of  Alva. 
Picotees  with  a  white  ground  embrace  Mrs.  Sharpe,  having  a  heavy 
rose  edge;  Edith  D’Ombrain,  with  moderate-sized  flowers,  edged 
bright  rosy  red  ;  Norman  Carr,  which  is  one  of  the  best,  having  the 
■qualities  of  floriferousness,  size,  and  pleasing  appearance,  edged  heavily 
with  crimson  ;  Thomas  Williams  has  a  neat  flowing  violet  edge ;  and 
Carl  Schultz  has  petals  with  a  heavy  maroon  edge. 
Of  older  seifs,  three  of  the  best  crimsons  are  Mrs.  Macrae,  Sir 
Bevys,  and  Comet,  each  grand.  Uncle  Tom,  of  course,  is  known  and 
prized  as  a  rich,  deep,  blackish  crimson.  Few  soarlet  varieties  can 
match  Marechal  Ney.  Seagull,  with  hnge  and  beautifully  formed 
blooms  and  pale  flesh  ;  Cantab,  bright  crimson  scarlet ;  Joe  Willeb, 
another  good  scarlet ;  Rose  Celestial,  as  a  distinct  rose  variety ;  and 
though  a  few  very  striking  whites  have  been  named,  the  variety  Mrs. 
F.  Watts  justly  deserved  full  recognition.  There  are  many  other  good 
Carnations  well  worthy  of  being  selected,  but  those  I  have  now  referred 
to  will  not  be  found  to  disappoint  the  oultivator,  and  are  all  more  or 
less  distinct.  Mrs.  W.  Lawson  Carnation  in  pots  was  in  good  “  form,” 
though  making  very  little  “grass.” 
A  Fern  Nursery. 
While  many  writers  on  florists’  flowers  lament  the  decadence  of  one 
or  other  of  their  pet  subjects,  very,  very  few  seem  to  regret  that  the 
beautiful  forms  and  tints  of  exotic  Ferns  are  not  more  appreciated. 
Nor  do  we  find  ferneries  being  extended,  and  Fern  collections  are 
usually  regarded  in  the  light  of  necessary  adjuncts  that  supply  the 
requisite  selection  of  green  foliaged  (or  fronded)  plants  to  enhance  the 
airangement  of  plant  groups,  or  for  effect  in  floral  decorations.  Their 
numbers  are  few  indeed  who  grow  Ferns  out  of  sheer  love  for  their 
forms,  tints,  and  peculiarities ;  yet,  who  iB  more  zealous,  more 
energetically  enthusiastic,  or  more  consistent  in  his  devotion  to  his  pet 
subject  than  the  pteridologist  ?  Speaking  for  myself,  I  love  tropical 
Ferns,  at  least  the  Gymnogrammas,  Pterises,  Adiantums,  and  a  few  of 
the  Davallias,  Woodwardias,  Aorostichiums,  Nephrolepis,  and  Poly- 
podiums.  A  few  days  ago  I  had  the  pleasure  of  visiting  one  of  the 
finest  nursery  collections  of  Ferns  to  be  found  anywhere  in  the  South, 
that  of  Messrs.  J.  Hill  &  Son,  Barrowfield  Nurseries,  Lower  Edmonton. 
Here  were  noted  such  splendidly  ornamental  varieties  as  Mr.  Child’s 
form  of  Pteris  Wimsetti,  which,  however,  is  simply  named  Pteris 
Childsi.  If  all  the  collections  in  England  were  hunted  through,  a 
handsomer  or  more  variedly  useful  Fern  could  not  be  found.  The 
oentres  of  the  pinnae  composing  the  fronds  are  flattened  out  to  the 
breadth  of  half  an  inch,  and  the  margin  of  eaoh  lobe  is  fringed  with 
narrow,  serrated  outgrowths.  It  is  light  green,  vigorous,  and  can  be 
employed  cosmopolitanically.  Pteris  regina  cristata  has  silvery  veins 
and  central  epidermis,  and  crested  tips.  The  indispensable  P.  tremula 
is  grown  in  batches  of  thousands ;  in  the  market  the  salesmen  shorten 
the  name,  and  speak  simply  of  “  Trems.”  Pteris  scaberula  furnishes  a 
finely  serrated  and  very  graceful  variety ;  while  P.  leptophylla  has  long, 
narrow  segmented  fronds. 
It  was  interesting  to  inspect  the  pit  devoted  to  spore  oases,  and 
within  this  were  dozens  of  pans  with  sporelets  and  fernlets  in  all  stages 
of  development.  Here  were  to  be  seen  several  men  busily  engaged 
in  separating  the  best  developed  panfuls  and  pricking  these  out  in 
tufts.  The  men  were  in  an  excessively  close  shed,  with  no  clothing  but 
a  shirt,  trousers,  and  covering  tor  the  feet.  I  believe  these  workers 
are  well  remunerated.  The  houses  are  all  heavily  shaded  with  whiting, 
which  sticks  sufficiently  well  because  a  quantity  of  starch  is  added 
during  its  preparation.  I  asked  Mr.  Dyson  (an  able  and  genial  man 
quite  above  the  average  in  his  knowledge  of  Ferns),  how  it  was  that 
the  marketmen  are  able  to  grow  and  offer  those  pale  green  Ferns, 
which  are  so  captivating  and  so  greatly  requested.  His  reply  conveyed 
that  light  and  air  were  liberally  allowed  by  market  Fern  growers. 
Even  tropical  exotio  Ferns  in  such  nurseries  as  Hill’s  have  a  current  of 
air  playing  on  them  from  above  on  all  such  mild  days  as  we  are  enjoying 
at  present.  The  shading,  too,  is  moderate,  and  no  heavy  blinds  are  ever 
employed ;  the  result  follows  as  a  natural  consequence  that  the  plants 
are  firm,  bright,  lively  green,  and  ready  for  the  knockabout  conditions 
of  marketing  at  any  and  all  times. 
However,  I  am  leaving  little  space  to  enumerate  some  choice 
varieties  I  desire  to  notice.  First  I  would  name  the  graceful  Davallia 
tenuifolia  Veitchiana,  suitable  for  growing  into  specimens.  Very 
different  from  it  is  D.  parvula,  so  small  that  numbers  can  be  grown 
under  a  moderate  sized  bell-glass.  It  is  rather  difficult  to  succeed  with, 
but  is  worthy  of  care.  D.  alpina  grows  between  the  chinks  of  stones 
in  indoor  rockeries,  and  requires  similar  treatment  to  D.  parvula. 
D.  asBamica  is  always  very  dark  in  colour,  tinged  with  ohooolate 
brown,  and  is  a  very  rare  and  handsome  species.  D.  fijiensis  elegans 
is  usually  got  by  division,  and  comes  both  truer  and  more  speedily  to 
its  perfectly  matured  state  than  from  spores.  D.  (pallida)  Mooreana 
is  one  of  the  largest  growing  and  most  magnificent  species  in  existence ; 
and  its  usefulness  for  growing  into  monster  specimens  is  proven  by  the 
many  samples  that  are  exhibited  at  North  of  England  horticultural 
exhibitions.  Sometimes  these  are  staged  in  huge  tubs,  which  require 
the  strength  of  several  men  to  transport.  Davallia  aouleata  and 
D.  foenioulacea  might  also  be  mentioned  for  their  superior  elegance  ; 
as  also  D.  disseota. 
Coming  to  the  Polypodiums,  what  is  more  serviceable  for  decorative 
purposes  of  a  special  nature  than  P.  appendiculata,  whose  fronds  are 
dissected  to  the  midrib,  and  is  altogether  very  distinctive  P  The  variety 
named  vaccinifolium  has  long  been  a  special  favourite  of  mine,  and  for 
growing  upon  pieces  of  cork  or  blocks  of  wood  to  hang  by  the  side  of  a 
tank  or  water  pool  I  can  strongly  recommend  it.  Few  unacquainted 
with  this  Polypodium  would  consider  it  to  be  a  Fern  at  all.  It  has 
long,  hairy,  drooping  shoots  with  oval,  somewhat  succulent  leaves. 
The  Adiantums  are  more  numerous.  A.  macrophyllum  assumes  a 
bright  cerise  mauve  tint  at  this  Edmonton  establishment.  The  latter 
characteristic  is  a  feature  of  a  large  number  of  Messrs.  Hills’  Ferns,  and 
cannot  very  well  be  accounted  for.  They  frequently  beoome  quite 
green  when  they  are  sent  out  to  gardens  and  other  places,  but  while 
they  remain  in  the  air  of  Lower  Edmonton  their  pinkness  and  ruddy 
tints  remain  distinct,  well  spread  and  suffused.  Adiantum  Faulkneri  is 
not  appreciated  on  the  market  stalls  because  of  its  refined  qualities.  No 
garden  collection,  however,  should  be  without  it.  Then  there  is 
A.  gracillimum,  so  neoessary  everywhere,  as  well  as  A.  cuneatum  by 
the  thousand,  and  A.  Farleyense,  whose  idiosyncracies  have  been 
thoroughly  mastered  here.  A.  cardiochlena  is  handsome,  as  is  the 
true  Veitchianum,  which  may  be  described  as  really  the  best  of  the 
rosy  tinted  Ferns.  It  is  a  dream  of  loveliness ;  so  is  A.  scutum 
roseum. 
Acrostichum  aureum  furnishes  a  large,  pale  pea  green,  broad-fronded 
Fern,  at  once  conspicuous  and  ornamental  for  grouping  with  the  larger 
flowering  plants.  Pellsea  rotundifolia  is  another  of  those  pretty  little 
subjects  for  the  chinks  of  indoor  rock  erections.  It  grows  freely.  The 
Crested  Woodwardia  must  be  included  in  this  Fern  selection,  and  its 
presence  will  add  lustre  to  any  collection.  Deparia  Moori  has  broadly 
spreading  bright  green  fronds,  and  it,  too,  is  exceedingly  beautiful. 
When  we  review  the  list,  what  a  fine  array  we  have  to  choose  from ! 
All  of  these  are  high-class  Ferns  of  varied  form  and  appearance,  yet 
each  lovely  and  interesting  in  their  several  representations.  To  con¬ 
clude,  I  would  note  Brainea  insignis,  a  dwarf  Tree  Fern;  Lomaria 
attenuata,  distinct,  and  suitable  for  a  variety  of  decorative  purposes; 
Lastrea  erythrosora,  a  bushy  growing,  rosy  tinted  species ;  Doodia 
aspera  multifida,  a  hardy  little  chap  for  stonework ;  Lastrea  lepida, 
Adiantum  tinctum,  Dioksonia  antarctica,  the  commonest  of  the  Australian 
Tree  Ferns;  Blechnum  brauliense,  resembling  the  latter  in  habit; 
besides  numerous  Nephrolepis,  but  lack  of  space  debars  me  from 
describing  them.  The  above  may,  however,  be  useful  to  some  grower 
who  desires  to  know  of  suitable  Ferns. — Wandering  Willie. 
Grapes  Scalding. 
In  a  hot  and  droughty  season  Grapes  are  scalded,  and  the  leaves  of 
Vines  scorched  to  a  greater  extent  than  ordinary.  Perhaps  these 
troubles  prevail  most  where  the  panes  of  glass  are  large,  and  the 
ventilation  inadequate,  but  I  have  had  both  severe  where  the  panes 
of  glass  were  small  and  the  ventilation  all  that  could  be  desired,  only 
it  had  been  properly  attended  to.  Indeed,  scalding  occurs  oftenest 
through  neglect  of  early  ventilation  and  a  gentle  warmth  in  the 
hot-water  pipes,  so  as  to  maintain  a  buoyant  atmosphere.  There  is 
no  question  that  it  is  accelerated  by  the  same  conditions  that  cause 
the  foliage  to  scotch,  namely,  late  or  imperfect  ventilation  on  some 
1  -right  sunny  morning,  whilst  the  internal  atmosphere,  and  even  the 
berries,  are  saturated  with  moisture.  Both  scorching  and  scalding 
can  be  avoided  by  careful  attention  to  the  temperature  and  ventilation. 
Air  should  be  admitted  rather  freely,  especially  in  the  early  part  of 
the  day,  with  a  little  warmth  in  the  hot-water  pipes  to  maintain  a 
temperature  of  70°  on  dull  days  and  65°  at  night,  with  air  constantly 
in  sufficient  amount  to  allow  of  a  circulation.  I  nder  those  circum- 
i-tances  scalding  does  not  occur. 
Scalding  of  the  berries  may  occur  when  they  are  about  half- 
grown,  though  generally  at  the  close  of  the  stoning  process,  or  a 
fortnight  to  three  weeks  before  and  up  to  commencing  to  colour  for 
ripening.  Lady  Downe’s  is  the  variety  most  liable  to  scalding. 
Muscat  of  Alexandria  comes  next  in  prevalence,  but  Black  Hamburgh 
ind  other  varieties  will  scald,  especially  in  hot  seasons,  particularly 
where  the  Grapes  are  exposed  to  the  fierce  rays  of  powerful  sun  after  a 
period  of  dull  weather.  A  slight  shade  is  advantageous  at  this  period 
and  during  the  early  stages  of  ripening  in  houses  with  large  panes  of 
glass,  particularly  for  Muscat  of  Alexandria,  a  double  thickness  of 
herring  nets  drawn  over  the  roof-lights  being  of  great  service  in 
breaking  the  fierce  rays  of  the  sun  from  mid- June  to  the  latter  part  of 
July  or  August,  according  to  the  time  of  the  Grapes  finishing  stoning. 
Some  vineries  are  the  better  for  a  slight  shade  during  the  hot  summer 
months.  This  applies  to  those  with  large  panes  of  glass  and  clear, 
especially  in  the  northern  parts  of  the  kingdom. — G.  A. 
