CANADIAN FERNS 



-SUITABI/E FOE- 



Cultivation in the Old Country 



[T frequently happens that Canadians are applied to, by their 

 friends in the Old Country, for roots of our native ferns for 

 cultivation in Ferneries and Conservatories, and it is not in- 

 frequently the case that these requests are not complied with, either 

 from a lack of knowledge as to what species would be acceptable, 

 or from the mistaken notion that, because a fern is exceedingly 

 abundant here it must also be so in Great Britain. As a guide to 

 those who may be anxious to delight the hearts of their Old Country 

 friends, by sending them living roots of Canadian ferns, I append lists 

 — First — Of those which are not found growing indigenously in Great 

 Britain at all ; and Secondly — Of those which, although found there^ 

 are very rare, or which present differences in appearance from our forms, 

 in consequence of which they would be acceptable to all Fern-growers 

 and Collectors for comparison. 



In the cultivation of ferns there are one or two points which must 

 always be borne in mind. First, it must be remembered that ferns^ 

 unlike most other plants, shun the sun-light and court the shade and a 

 moist atmosphere. Although some species may be occasionally found 

 growing in open spots, it will generally be found that they are more 

 luxuriant when in the shade and under the shelter of trees. Many 

 ferns will succeed well in flower-pots ; but they require constant care 

 and attention. One of the most important requirements of ferns is 

 perfect drainage ; and this can only be attained at the risk of allowing 



