12 
The usual method of propagation is from 
spores—the name applied to the seeds of 
Ferns. These are very small, and if care 
is not taken they are liable to get washed 
down so deep in the soil as to prevent their 
vegetating. Broad shallow pans are the 
most suitable for sowing in, and these 
should be well drained and filled with a 
mixture of sifted fibrous peat, with some 
broken sandstone or crocks added, and 
enough sand to make the whole porous. 
Press the material moderately firm in the 
pans, and give it a good watering to get 
the surface quite smooth ; on this sow the 
spores, not too thickly. Stand the pans in 
larger ones that will hold water, and in 
these keep a small quantity, about an inch 
orsoin depth. This water the material the 
spores are sown in will draw up so as not 
to require the giving of any directly on 
the surface ; in this way the danger before 
indicated of the spores being washed down 
too deep is avoided. Stand in a tempera- 
ture of from 50° to 65°, according to the 
time of the year, and the more or less heat 
the species requires. It is well to sow the 
spores as soon as they are in condition, 
which, in the case of many, will be towards 
the latter end of summer. Some kinds 
vegetate more quickly than others, but in 
the case of the spores of most kinds sown 
at the time indicated, they will begin to 
grow during the autumn and winter. They 
should be kept through the interim at 
about the heat already named; as the 
weather gets warmer in spring raise the 
temperature proportionately. As soon as 
the plants are large enough to handle they 
may be pricked off from three to half a 
dozen together, according to the size of the 
different species, in three inch pots, filled 
with soil similar to that in which they 
were sown. An intermediate heat, with 
shade, plenty of light, air in the day time, 
and a somewhat moist atmosphere, with 
abundance of water to the soil, are what 
they require. Some kinds may need moy- 
ing to single pots before autumn, whilst 
others that make slower progress will do 
better undisturbed until about February. 
This is the best time to pot most kinds of 
Ferns, as they never like their roots dis- 
turbed much, least of all after they have 
begun to make growth. After potting, 
treat in general as advised for the preced- 
ing spring and summer. Once a year is 
often enough to pot Ferns of any kind, and 
all that will be necessary subsequently is 
to give more room each spring as required, 
using the soil in a lumpy state as the 
plants get larger, with about one-sixth of 
broken crocks, charcoal, or coal cinders 
amongst it; any of these will answer to 
Greenhouse and Stove Plants. 
FERNS. 
keep the soil porous, which is essential. 
Where large specimens are required of the 
creeping stemmed species—such as the 
Davallias and Gleichenias—wide pans or 
pots must be used, but it is a mistake to 
give Ferns pots as large as many plants 
require. Even the tree species, when large, 
can be kept ina healthy, thriving condi- 
tion, with half the root-room that is 
frequently given, and excessive room re- 
sults in the fronds outgrowing reasonable 
space. With the aid of manure-water 
during the growing season, Ferns of nearly 
all kinds can be kept in the best condition 
in smaller pots than most things. Most 
Ferns when they have arrived at a size 
such as deemed sufficiently large, may be 
kept ina healthy condition for two or three 
years, without repotting, by the aid of 
manure-water in the growing season. One 
matter of importance that applies to Ferns 
generally, is that they should never, 
even in the winter, be allowed to 
get so dry at the roots as many other 
plants. 
The creeping stemmed species can be 
propagated by division of the rhizomes, 
which in all cases should have some roots 
attached ; the division ought always to be 
effected early in the season before growth 
has commenced. Others, with habit of 
growth like the Adiantums, will bear 
division ; the crowns should be separated 
with roots attached to each. 
Most of the species of stove Ferns in 
cultivation do better when grown with less 
warmth than they are often subjected to, 
When more heat is used than they require, 
the fronds are weaker, and do not remain 
in a fresh, healthy condition so long ; they 
are likewise more susceptible to the 
attacks of insects, and are much less useful 
for cutting. For most of the stove kinds 
a night temperature of 50° to 55° during 
the autumn and winter, with a little more 
in the day, and 60° by night, with a rise 
proportionate to the weather in the day, in 
summer will answer. The Gymnogrammas, 
and a few others, are an exception to the 
generality of Ferns that require more than 
cool greenhouse treatment, as they must be 
kept warmer ; 60° in the night in winter 
is better for them than a lower tempera- 
ture, and they should be given proportion- 
ately more in the summer. Such kinds 
as come under the denomination of green- 
house species have a better appearance 
when kept slightly warmer in the winter 
than the coolest section of general green- 
house plants, say about 45° by night. And 
in the case of this division the plants should 
never be subjected to dry currents of air, 
or in fact have sufficient air given them to 
