^72> 



merely of a pleasant outing, with possible prizes, but 

 also of meeting a congenial coterie of fellow Fern lovers 

 to mutual advantage. In conclusion we may mention 

 that the members should, if possible, assemble on the 

 Friday evening prior to the meeting, thus affording 

 opportunities for excursions, which can be arranged for the 

 following days. 



FERN POCKETS AND OTHER 

 CONTRIVANCES. 



For those who possess a knack of making things for 

 themselves, a word or two on home-made contrivances in 

 the Fern line may be apposite. Rough pockets and 

 troughs made of cork are common enough, and in the early 

 days of our fern fever we constructed a number of such 

 from the masses of rough cork supplied by nurserymen and 

 fitted together by means of strong coppsr wire, a bradawl,, 

 a pair of cutting pliers, and a rough saw. For this purpose 

 the tubular pieces are very adaptable, especially as after a 

 good soak in water they become pliable and can be opened 

 out, and of course when secured by wire to each other or 

 their supports retain their shape. We figure one of these 

 so treated and attached to an ordinary roofing slate (Fig. 

 i), this particular one being of peculiar interest to us, as 

 it still retains a crested Lady Fern in full vigour, which 

 was planted in it when made at least twenty-five years ago, 

 all that has been done since being to fill up occasionally 

 on the top with a few handful s of compost when shrinkage 

 has afforded room. A number of seedlings have spontane- 

 ously appeared in the various holes indicated, and the 

 Lady Fern has developed several crowns, and throws up 

 every season a full number of healthy fronds, two feet or 

 more long, though we confess that it is a puzzle to us; 

 what the roots can find to feed on after so many years of. 

 growth within so confined an area of the same soil. The 

 use of roofing slates is, however, less common and yet they 



