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Taranaki Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 2298, 17 April 1875, Page 2

" A i-'loweking fern," says tho Geclong Advertiser, "is acknowledged to be one of the curiosities of nature. Among botanists it has long been a disputed question whether such a natural phenomenon existed in tho Colony. One or two of our forest explorers have said that they have witnessed ferus in rlower during their travels, but as they always forgot to provide themselves with spccimeuß, the f act has invariably been doubted. Mr. Robert Lucns, has, however, resolved the questiou within the past few days. After a good deal of searching ho found a number of plantsof the kind described in full flower, and he has now preserved a number of specimens which the curious can be furnished with. Tho fern grows about 18in in height, and .has pendant flowers of a pure white growing from tho leaf joints. The flowers are Jin. in length, and have five petals with bright stamens. The root is bulbous. Mr. Lucas bus secured about a dozon stocks, some of which ho intends forwarding to England." American Blight.— Vau Hulle, a Belgian horticulturist, slates that they grow nasturtiums in their tipple orchards, and let them climb up the trees to keep off tho American Blight. ' Also, tomatoes are planted among the grape vinos to keep off wasps ; it is said that they do bo effectually.