106 FERNS AS DECOKATIVE OBJECTS. 



large extent of evaporating surface sliould in consequence be 

 provided ; and in the interior of tlie house as much absorbent 

 material as possible sliould be employed, so that by tlie aid of 

 syringing the evaporating surface may be extendetl almost at 

 pleasure. In buildings of this kind, if hot water, tlie best of all 

 lieating mediums, be employed, it should be conducted in pipes 

 cast with an open trough or gutter on the upper side, to be kept 

 filled up with water whenever a moist atmosphere is required. 

 If tills trough is divided into compartments, a varying amount 

 of evaporating surface may be employed, according to the degree 

 of moisture required. The floor, moreover, should be covered 

 with a wooden pathway of trellis-work, in order that the bottom 

 may, wiien necessary, be flooded with water. With such appli- 

 ances, skilfully employed, there will be no difficulty in main- 

 taining the atmosphere, as regards its humidity, perfectly suitable 

 to tlie growth of Ferns. 



Fern houses should be provided with a shading, to be used in 

 bright, sunny weather ; at other periods there is no necessity for 

 nor advantage in its employment. If the building has not a 

 north aspect, this shading becomes indispensable. 



The best of all structures for the growth of exotic Ferns are 

 low, close pits, in which the due supply of heat and moisture is 

 provided for. Such situations are only unsuitable for the larger, 

 coarser growing kinds, which are generally the least of all suit- 

 able for decorative purposes. 



The few hardy species which may be grown for the purpose 

 of supplying fronds for cutting, or as decorative plants, do well 

 in a cold frame kept nearly closed, and in which proper attention 

 is paid to the hygrometric condition of the atmosphere. In 

 limited establishments the species inhabiting temperate as well as 

 tropical latitudes may be accommodated in one structure ; for 

 those of temperate climates will bear without material injury, 

 and in some instances with advantage, the extra heat afforded to 

 those of the tropics. Where, however, the collection of species 

 or the number of plants justifies such a course, it will be better to 

 place these two classes in separate pits or small houses, wliere it 

 will be easy to apply a less degree of heat to those which need 

 the less degree. Under this arrangement, if there are but few 

 of the hardy group grown, they may be placed along with those 

 of temperate climes. 



2. Propagation of Ferns. 



Among Ferns the caudex assumes two distinct forms. In 

 some species it is horizontally creeping, forming an underground 

 stem, and throwing up its fronds or clusters of frontis at intervals. 

 Those of this habit may be propagated by dividing the caudex 



