FKRNS AS DECOIUIIVE OBJECTS. 105 



ations. The fronds, Mliich form a large tuft, grow erect, two, 

 four, six, or eight feet high, with opposite pinnate lateral 

 branciies ; tlie upper part of the stems changed into a mass of 

 little spikes of fructification, which when mature assumes a 

 brown colour. Being a large growing plant, it requires a large 

 pot, and slioukl be kept rather damp at the root. 



A few general remarks on the cultivation of Ferns in pots may 

 here be appropriately appended, and these will be offered under 

 the following heads: — 1. Structures for Ferns ; 2. Propagation 

 of Ferns ; 3. Soil and Potting ; 4. Atmospheric Conditions ; 

 5. Watering ; 6. Insects. 



1. Structures for Ferns. 



Ferns do not in a general way under cultivation associate well 

 with other plants ; orchids, however, are an exception ; the 

 degree of humiditj^ kept up, and the shade afforded, in the case 

 of orchid houses being favourable to their growth. Low build- 

 ings are preferable for tliem, in consequence of the greater 

 facility with which a close or calm atmosphere can be main- 

 tained ; and these are all the better if they face the north, for 

 then a greater degree of light can be allowed them, without so 

 great a risk of exposing tliem to bright sun rays, which should, 

 as far as possible, be avoided. 



The tropical Ferns delight in heat ; but in regard to its appli- 

 cation tliey follow the same laws as other plants, so that no par- 

 ticular application of the heating power, or medium, is required 

 in constructing a Fern house. A mild bottom heat is, however, 

 desirable beneath the stages on whicii the pots are placed, chiefly 

 on account of the water which is necessarily thrown down in 

 raising tiie required degree of atmospheric moisture, which, 

 especially if the stages are of stone or slate— two of the best 

 materials in other respects — causes an injurious chilliness about 

 the roots. 



Of atmospheric moisture these plants need an abundant and 

 almost unvarying supply in the form of insensible vapour 

 throughout the entire period of their growth. Even in winter, 

 though a less degree of moisture should be emploj'ed in con- 

 junction with the lower temperature universally to be adopted at 

 that season, yet, proportionately with other plants, a large supply 

 of moisture should, even at that season, be given to such Ferns as 

 are at all in a growing state. Those of deciduous habit, that is, 

 those whose fronds die down annually, are the better for being 

 kept somewhat chier from the time the fronds decay until they 

 a"rain renew their orowth. 



So large a supply of atmospheric moisture being required, a 



