146 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



now rrmch too tender to travel any distance by rail with safety. 

 They are to be planted inside, and the roots should be loosened 

 round the outside of the ball, so that they can strike out into the 

 border without let or hindrance. Give them a good watering with 

 tepid water to settle the soil about the roots, and keep the house 

 rather close for a few weeks, until the vines get established and 

 begin to grow. A slight shade just over the vines, for a few days, 

 will be of assistance to them. During the summer, maintain a 

 moist growing temperature, but with sufficient ventilation to keep 

 the wood firm and short-jointed, and keep rather dry at the roots, 

 and throw the house open early in September, if the vines show 

 signs of vigorous growth at that season ; for the growth after that 

 period will not have sufficient time to get matured. Besides, as the 

 rods will have to be cut close back in the winter, it is as well to induce 

 them to rest early. 



GOLD AND SILVER FERNS. 



BY GEOEGE GEAT, 



Head Gardener, Norbiton Hall, Kingston, S."W. 



?HE whole of the ferns are more or less beautiful, but none 

 more thoroughly deserving admiration than the Gymno- 

 grammas. It is true none of the species will stand 

 rough usage, such as being kept very wet for several weeks 

 in succession, and then left to themselves until the 

 fronds begin to wither through want of water. None of the ferns 

 are more susceptible of injury from drought than these ; if they 

 once get dry, so that the fronds begin to flag, it is very seldom that 

 they recover ; and if they suffer for any length of time, it is equally 

 seldom that the life of the plant itself is spared. Even when the 

 loss of the foliage is the only loss to grieve over, the plants are a 

 long time in recovering from the check they receive. It is not such 

 a very difficult matter to keep them properly supplied with water 

 at the right time. The practice of going through the fernery, 

 watering-pot in hand, and giving all a dose that come within reach, 

 whether they need it or not, and then leaving them to chance for two 

 or three days, will not do for these ; they must have special attention, 

 and that, too, at the right time. I point this out as most important. 

 If I were to say that gold and silver ferns are easy to manage, 

 some readers would suppose a little rough usage would do them no 

 harm. It must be understood, however, that there is no particular 

 difficulty in their culture ; give them -the right treatment, and there 

 is no other class of ferns that will more amply repay the cultivator 

 for his labour. I cannot say how often each plant will need water, 

 but this much I can say, the soil must never be du&t dry, and never 

 be very wet. In every season of the \ear it must be moderately 

 drv before water is given. On the other hand, to keep the roots 



