§ 
Perns—continued. 
Anything like a sour or waterlogged soil is either detri- 
mental or fatal, even to those which are not quickly injured 
in other respects. Success in the cultivation of esta- 
blished plants depends more on this, with careful water- 
ing, temperature, atmospheric moisture, proper shade, 
&c., than on any soil in which they may be grown. 
Fic. 7. VIEW OF UNDERGROUND FERNERY. 
Adiantums, for instance, succeed well either in peat or 
loam alone, the texture of the fronds being firmer in 
the latter instance, and presenting apparently the only 
difference. A large proportion of peat was at one time 
considered necessary for all Ferns, but the superior 
qualities of leaf soil in their culture, where it can 
be obtained, have been more fully recognised of late, 
with considerable advantage to the plants. Soft sand- 
stone, mixed with the soil, tends to keep it porous, and 
suits some varieties better than others; and charcoal 
may be used freely with all. The different habits will 
often suggest the mode of treatment required. It will 
not be far wrong to say that a compost of half loam, 
to which is added an equal quantity of leaf soil and peat 
combined, and sufficient charcoal, small pieces of crocks, 
or sharp sand, to keep the whole open, may be used 
successfully for all Tree Ferns and any established plants 
of Adiantum, Aspidium, Asplenium, many species of 
Davallia, Gymnogramme, Lomaria, Nephrodium, Pteris, 
and any others of similar habit. The species of Acro- 
stichum, Davallia, &c., that form slender rhizomes, must 
be attached to something on which they can grow. A 
good plan is to cultivate in pans, placing an inverted 
pot or a piece of Tree Fern stem in the middle, and then 
building a small mound on the top with lumps of peat, 
loam, and sphagnum, afterwards fixing the rhizomes to 
the surface with small pegs. Epiphytal Ferns, of which 
Platycerium is a well-known and distinct genus, often 
succeed admirably if fastened with a little moss and peat 
to a block of wood, and suspended in the stove. They 
THE DICTIONARY 
| 
f 
f 
OF GARDENING, 
Ferns continued. 
should be kept rather dry in winter. Similar composts, 
as advised above, if passed through a sieve, may be 
used for young plants. Ferns succeed in potas com- 
paratively small for the stze of plants, if due attention 
is given to watering. Small pots have also an advantage 
in appearance; and any deficiency in the quantity of 
food contained in the soil may be supplied with appli- 
cations of manure water during the growing season. 
Insects. Ferns, especially those under stove treatment, 
are liable to be attacked by several destructive insect 
pests. Thrips are their greatest enemies, causing irre- 
parable damage to the fronds. Frequent fumigating 
becomes a necessity; this mnst be done lightly and 
with the greatest care, on account of the tender growth. 
Any Aphides will also be destroyed by the smoke at the 
same time. Brown and White Scale are sometimes 
plentiful, and these must be removed by sponge or 
brash. The first-named is the one most common on 
Ferns, the other, fortunately, being more rarely found, as, 
when once established, it is very difficult to eradicate. 
Mealy Bug must be destroyed in a similar way to Scale, 
as an insecticide strong enongh to kill either, will, to 
say the least, be dangerous to use, in consequence of 
causing injury to the fronds of delicate texture. In 
winter, when the plants are at rest, the whole should 
be examined and cleaned, as stronger measures may 
then be adopted, by fumigation or the use of an insecti- 
cide, than would be safe after growth commences. At all 
times, a watch must be kept for the first appearance of 
insects, as proper means for destruction then applied are 
always more effective in their results. 
FPERONIA (mythological, after Feronia, a nymph who 
presided over the woods and groves, and was worshipped 
by the Romans as a goddess). Orp. Rutacea. A stove 
evergreen fruit-tree, allied to the Orange (Citrus). It 
thrives well in a mixture of rich loam and peat, with a 
little sand added. Increased, in spring or summer, by 
placing cuttings of ripe young shoots in sandy soil, under 
glass, in bottom heat. 
s 
Fic. 8 FLOWERING SPIKE OF FERRARIA UNDULATA 
x 
