OF HORTICULTURE. 7 
AN ENCYCLOPADIA 
Ferns—continued. 
among Filmy Ferns. Todea superba is a vigorous species, 
having large fronds of a filmy texture; and T. hymeno- 
phylloides is smaller-growing, but very desirable; both 
being beautiful and more easily grown than the majority 
of the plants in this section. 
WARDIAN Cases. Ferns used for decorating Wardian 
cases must only include those of small or moderate 
growth, the space inside being very limited. The system 
admits of more moisture being kept round the plants 
than would be possible in an open room where the air 
is frequently dried either by burning gas or a fire. It 
is always important, in changing plants in these cases 
that become unhealthy, to substitute others from a cool 
house, as, if insufficiently hardened, the young fronds 
soon wither and die. Ample drainage must be provided, 
and, if plants in pots are used, the latter should be 
covered with growing sphagnum. Ferns in Wardian 
cases keep fresh and attractive for a long time if they 
receive proper attention. Cases somewhat similar in 
construction, may be used in cool houses for small col- 
lections of Filmy Ferns. 
k E ~ 
FıG. 6. DEAD TREE FERN, DECORATED WITH FERNS. 
Tree Ferns. Considerable space and lofty houses 
are essential for growing and exhibiting Tree Ferns in 
their true characters. In Ferneries of limited size, where 
a few are cultivated, it is best to restrict their root growth 
in large pots or tubs, which also allows of their being 
re-arranged occasionally when overgrowing other smaller 
plants. In very large conservatories, a few permanent 
specimens planted out in well-drained borders, succeed, 
perhaps, better than in any other position, and always 
present a majestic appearance unexcelled by any other 
plants similarly employed. Alsophila australis and 
A. eaxcelsa, Cyathea dealbata and C. medullaris (the 
latter is probably the tallest-growing of all our cultivated 
Ferns), with Dicksonia antarctica, are the best for culture 
in the greenhouse. All these may also be used in 
sub-tropical gardening outside in summer, in sheltered, 
jority succeed DES pon on rockwork in a shady 
situation, sheltered from i 
-both in size and habit, is represented by the British species 
and their innumerable varieties, apart from those intro- 
| furnished at all seasons. In building a 
used round the roots when : 
_ Ferns—continued. 
shady places. There are many stove species of Tree 
Ferns, all of which are beautiful, and worthy of culti- 
vation in large heated structures. They all, especially 
Alsophilas, delight in plenty of atmospheric moisture 
and shade. The stems of imported Tree Ferns should, 
on their arrival, be covered with damp moss or canvas, and 
be kept moist by syringing until the new fronds appear. 
The time this takes varies according to the condition in 
which they arrive, and the season. When the head of 
fronds is established, the covering may be removed 
from the stem; but frequent syringing in summer time 
is of the highest importance, as by far the greater 
portion of the stems of many is literally a mass of roots 
requiring a quantity of water. Tree Ferns, in bad health, 
may often be greatly improved by covering the- stom 
from the base to the fronds with lin. of sphagnum, and 
tying it on with string. If kept moist, the roots soon 
fill the moss, and the stem is thus considerably enlarged. 
Tree Ferns that are dead on arrival may be utilised by 
covering with epiphytal or other small Ferns for stove or 
greenhouse decoration (see Fig. 6), the top being scooped 
out, and a free-growing variety with a pendent habit 
inserted and planted in soil; others being fastened on the 
side with blocks of peat and some small wire. — — 
Harpy Ferns. These are all attractive, and the ma- 
igh winds. A great diversity, 
duced from North America, Japan, &c. Many suitable 
positions for hardy Ferns may be found in most gardens 
where their culture is not now attempted. They should 
have a good depth of soil, and plenty of water in summer. 
In the case of a collection, a pile of rockwork, built with 
rough stones, allows of a place being selected for all, 
according to their size and habit. A good clump of those 
which are plentiful should be planted together, and suffi- 
cient space allowed them to grow and develop, as in this 
way the different characters are much better shown than 
when only single plants are used. Attention in their 
arrangement should also be directed in placing the ever- 
green and deciduous species irregularly throughout the 
space covered, so that the whole may be, more or — 
rockwork for 
hardy Ferns, the requirements of the plants must be the _ 
main object, large, well-drained pockets being insured in 
preference to the appearance of the stones, that are, in 
great part, hidden by the fronds. Loam and peat, with 
a quantity of crushed stone or brick, 
regalis) is one of the most | 1andsome, an ; 
when planted in partial bog, or by the side of water. 
UNDERGROUND Fernery. This is an interesting struc- 
ture, to be seen only in a few places, where the owners 
bestow 5 attention on Fern culture in its various 
aspects. It consists of a large cavity, dug in the middle 
of a hill, and covered with sheet glass, the hill itself being 
surrounded on the summit with trees. A flight of steps 
communicates with the interior, where Ferns are grown 
on the inside of the cavity in prepared soil, narrow paths — 
or stepping stones being provided on while to walk 
amongst them, A fountain, or other arrangement for 
water, supplies the necessary moisture. The plants do 
not require artificial heat, as they are not much affected 
by fluctuations of temperature outside, and a subdued 
light is constantly admitted by the glass overhead. A 
view of an underground Fernery is shown in Fig. 7. 
Som, Ports, &c., FOR Fern CULTURE. Nearly s 
Ferns require a quantity of water in summer, and ra 
need to be dry at the roots at any season, © T 
a very important matter is that of efficient * 
