20 Pitcher, Remarks on Ferns. [v^f^'xxx 



provided, the whole of the native ferns can, with a little care 

 and attention, be successfully grown. Nearly all ferns require 

 plenty of water in dry or summer weather ; consequently, in 

 pot culture good drainage should be provided in order to 

 prevent the soil becoming sour or water-logged. Although the 

 soil for some kinds, such as Botrychium, Cheilanthes, and 

 Grammitis may require to be of a somewhat different character, 

 yet it will be found that a soil composed of leaf or other 

 vegetable mould, loam, and peat, with crushed charcoal mixed 

 throughout, will suit nearly all the species. In the case of the 

 epiphytal species of Polypodium, it will, of course, be advisable 

 to grow them on pieces of trunks of tree-ferns, or some other 

 equally suitable substitute. They should be grown in shaded 

 spots against a wall and away from the wind, and will require 

 plenty of water. Broad pans should be used for the species 

 of Davallia and Gleichenia and some species of Pteris, in order 

 to allow their creeping rhizomes facilities for healthy growth. 



The Drying of Fern Specimens. 



When drying ferns for herbarium specimens, only fairly 

 well developed fronds should be taken, as young ones shrivel 

 up in the process. In the case of epiphytal ferns and others 

 with creeping rhizomes, portions of the creeping stem with the 

 frond or fronds should be taken. Where fruiting fronds are 

 to be found on the plant, it is advisable to dry one or more of 

 them, as well as the plain or sterile fronds. 



The specimens may be placed separately between sheets of 

 blotting paper, or even ordinary newspaper, and should be 

 carefully spread out flat between a thickness of three to six 

 sheets of paper, according to the character of the specimens. 

 From twelve to twenty specimens, in such condition, may then 

 be placed between two thick boards, and be either subjected to 

 heavy weights or strapped tightly together for a couple of days. 

 The s])ecimens should then be transferred to fresh drying paper 

 and placed in a similar condition for another period of three or 

 four days, and after two or three more of such changes the 

 specimens will be ready for placing in their permanent positions 

 in herbarium paper or in albums, for future reference. The 

 locality and date of the collecting of the specimens, with any 

 other desired particulars, should be recorded on the label to 

 be kept with the specimens. 



In conclusion, it may be pointed out to those desiring to 

 acquaint themselves with our native ferns that there is no 

 better method to l)e suggested than that of making a collection 

 of herbarium sjiecimens of the fronds of such species as they 

 may meet with from time to time. Ferns, of all plants, lend 

 themselves most readily for drying for herbarium purposes. 



