GARDEN NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2663, 29 March 1905, Page 10

GARDEN NOTES.

— New Zealand Ferns. —

In former days New Zealand was looked! upon as a treasury from which to draw cryptogamia — the ferns being a special feature. In and around Dunedin very many of the best varieties were found, and admirers were numerous in collecting' specimens for their herbariums, those more commercially interested sending wardian cases to many parts of the world. On one occasion Captain Peter Logan, for want of passengers, transformed the staterooms in his af rer cabin into a special hold;*" which was packed with various tree ferns up to 20ft in height and taken to his owners in Glasgow. Since then a decline in interest in this branch has taken place, but it is happily reviving. Frequent inquiries are made in regard to material points, which we willingly answer. The first inquiry in hand is in regard to the transplanting of ferns from their natural habitat to selected positions. Our more robust and persistent ferns may with ordinary care- be transplanted at any time during the year, and will thrive if placed in a shaded place. Deciduous sorts should be shifted when the fronds have died down. The filmy varieties need more tender handling, while those of a. creeping, climbing, or parasitic character cannot well be removed unless the branch, dead trunk, or living stem to which they cling is transported with them. • Individuals among the classes under the system of arrang3ment by which ferns and other nowerless plants are placed have different habits and require different treatment. To give full details is hardly possible, so only a selection will be given as examples. The first in order of arrangement of Filices is Gleichenia, of which we have five varieties. Mrs Jones affirms that according to the Natives it is the father of ferns, as it was the first to appear after forest clearing. Abundant throughout New Zealand, it was found most plentifully on the hills about the Bluff. G. Cramingka-inii, popularly known as the "umbrella" fern, was only found on a sheltered hill face at the Whare Flat, and now may be sought for in vain. Ifc attained a height of about lOin, with a single spreading tier of closely-laced fronds. Up the Makarora Valley, in open glades in the bush, we have found it, with three tiers, each 6in . apart, to a height of 3ft. The other three ere not numerous in Gtago, and the whole of them require great care in shifting. The tree ferns (Cyatheas). of which there are five varieties, submit to violent changes. The Alsophila and Dicksonias are also inchided amongst the tree ferns. The Hypolepis are generally found growing in clumps in the open on the face of creeks — the best patches we have met with were at Titri and on the Chain Hills. They ai*e not arborescent.

Pteris aquilena, the common bracken, is very widespread, and is deciduous. Several of the varieties are found sparsely spread in localities over Otago. Some of them are very attractive in appearance, and they are easily shifted.

Somaria is the most common of all our ferns, and is found growing from the delicate specimens in eaves and secluded rock fissures on which the sun never shines, up to the übiquitous Prooera, found growing everywhere, and Frazerii, almost attaining the dignity of a tree fern. Asplendiums and Aspidiums are very common, and can be easily handled. Polypod iums are also very numerous. Todea are among our most attractive ferns. Superba, known as the double crape, is best grown under a bell glass. The Hymenophyllums and Trichomanes, both truly filmy ferns, were numerous. The former, growing either on the ground or on the dead trunks in river beds, were plentiful up the Leith, and Gibson's Creek in the same district. The latter, Trichomanee, is very variable in habit, the more conspicuous being the kidney fern, growing plentifully in the bush in the West Ooast, but in cultivation it can only be grown under a bell glass. T. venosum clothes the> trunks of tree ferns; while Malengii, selecting Dicksonia squarrosa as its abode, is found nowhere else. All our ferns 'n cultivation grow best under glass, with a low roof, cool and damx?, receiving abundant ■watering, but no stagnation being tolerated.