328 

 EXOTIC FEENS FOE THE GEEENHOUSE. 



BY AIS* AMATEUR PERN-GEOWEE. 



EULLY believe that there are very few readers of the 

 Eloeal Woeld who have not an affection, more or less 

 ardent, for this beautiful family of plants ; and I do not 

 see how any one can help loving the cool refreshing- 

 looking pets, with their lovely masses of greenery. Not- 

 withstanding this universal love which exists for ferns, the knowledge 

 of their culture and management is by no means so extended as it is 

 desirable it should be. Many people fail in growing these plants 

 satisfactorily because they attempt to grow exotics in their green- 

 houses or conservatories which require a stove temperature, through 

 want of knowledge as to which require heat, and those that will do 

 very well without it, when buying in the plants. So general is this 

 kind of failure, that I have thought a few remarks upon the subject 

 may be useful. I shall just touch upon a few of the principal cul- 

 tural details, and then pass on to indicating a few species that do well 

 without artificial heat, excepting to protect them from frost. The 

 number to choose from is by no means limited ; and, after barring 

 the Gymnogrammas, I would undertake to name a hundred equal in 

 beauty to any other hundred that could be selected, but which re- 

 quire a generous warmth to grow them well. I shall not confine 

 myself to any particular number, but instead, simply run through 

 the list of sorts which I have at present growing in my greenhouse, 

 and name a few of those which do well. Those that will appear in 

 this list I will undertake to say will not disappoint, provided they 

 receive proper treatment with respect to water, air, and light, as I 

 have put every one to the test. I grow large collections of both stove 

 and greenhouse ferns, and as fast as I have duplicates of the former 

 I try a plant in the greenhouse. If it succeeds, it remains there ; if 

 not, it is consigned to the rubbish heap ; for I make a point of never 

 trying choice specimens unless I have other plants of the same kind 

 remaining in the stove. I generally have a few on trial every year, 

 for I am always desirous of adding to my stock for the greenhouse, 

 as it is so delightful to attend to them, and watch every young frond 

 as it makes its apjoearance, and shift and turn the plants about, to 

 prevent the young fronds getting cramped and spoilt as they develop 

 themselves. One cannot do this comfortably in the stove, and I 

 spend hours amongst my plants, giving them the many little atten- 

 tions which, insignificant enough in themselves, contribute so much 

 to their general welfare. I don't believe in people saying they are 

 fond of plants, when they begrudge the time it requires to attend to 

 Ihem ; it is no wonder many people fail in growing their favourites, 

 when they hurriedly go through them once a day, water all alike, and 

 then, with the exception of a little attention to air-giving, trouble 

 themselves no more about them until the next day. It must not be 

 supposed that I have nothing else to do besides fern growing, for I 

 should fancy that few readers of the Eloeal Woeld lead a more 

 active life than I do. 



