FERNS, 
Greenhouse and Stove Plants, 
11 
fining them under propagating glasses, or 
in an enclosed case within the house or 
it. 
f InsEcts.—We would particularly direct 
the attention of all beginners who aspire 
to grow even the most common plant well, 
to the necessity of waging a continuous 
war against the different insects that prey 
upon plants, especially those under arti- 
ficial cultivation. Plants here exist under 
conditions the least favourable to their 
withstanding the ravages of insects, inas- 
much as the limited extent of the food 
supplied to them in the confined space 
allotted to their roots must render them 
less able to bear the extraction of their 
life’s blood—the sap—which these animal 
parasites are continually draining from 
them, than they would be if cultivated in 
the open air, with full scope for their roots 
to extend in all directions in search of 
food. Still more, insects that prey upon 
plants in glass structures exist under con- 
ditions most favourable for their develop- 
ment; here their breeding season is in 
most cases prolonged to the whole of the 
year, and they are secure from their 
natural enemies, which in a state of nature 
would often make short work of them. We 
have observed that any plant which in the 
early stage of its growth is seriously in- 
jured through the ravages of insects, is 
never, even if afterwards thoroughly 
cleansed and well nursed through the re- 
mainder of its existence, extending over a 
number of years, so vigorous or so capable 
of being grown into a fine specimen as a 
plant that has not similarly suffered. It 
always appeared to be affected like a plant 
that has been stunted through insufficient 
root-room whilst young. By this it will 
be understood that we are alluding to the 
more injurious species of insects that affect 
plants. There are two especially—white 
scale and mealy bug. Where these exist 
to any extent in a collection of plants, it is 
an impossibility ever to have them in such 
condition as where these insects are absent ; 
brush, sponge, and syringe may be kept 
incessantly at work, but unless means be 
taken for their thorough extermination the 
continual use of these appliances leaves its 
mark in the shape of scanty injured foliage 
and meagre flowers. Brown scale, thrips, 
aphides, and red spider, to a greater or less 
extent, are ever troublesome on plants 
cultivated under glass, and their presence 
to any considerable extent is highly in- 
jurious. Where a high standard of culture 
is aimed at they must be kept well under. 
The means that can be had recourse to for 
the destruction of each is often different in 
different kinds of plants, inasmuch as all 
are not alike able to bear an application of 
the same means for killing the insects. 
Consequently, we have found it advisable 
to give together with the directions for the 
cultivation of each genus of plants the 
means we have found best calculated for 
the destruction of the insects to which it 
is subject. The above remarks, apply- 
ing to stove plants, and those of a like 
character which will be found relating 
similarly to greenhouse plants, as a matter 
of course will be understood as being of a 
general character in their application. 
Great numbers of species and varieties of 
plants require something or other excep- 
tional in their treatment as compared with 
that of others; particulars in every case 
will be found given under the head of each 
particular kind. 
There are several operations connected 
with the cultivation of plants of nearly all 
kinds that are so general in their applica- 
tion—such, for instance, as always having 
the pots clean inside as well as outside, 
before putting any plants in them, and of 
draining the pots properly—that it has 
not been considered necessary to allude to 
them in the directions given for each 
particular species or variety of plant, ex- 
cept where it is needful to be more than 
ordinarily careful. This, of course, applies 
to the greenhouse and _ stove plants, 
flowering as well as fine-leaved. In the 
plants hereafter treated of, the particular 
purpose that each species and variety is 
adapted for is pointed out, whether as roof 
climbers, trained pot specimens, large or 
small, for yielding flowers for cutting, or 
for general decorative use. 
FERNS. 
GENERAL DeraILs oF CULTIVATION.— 
It is needless to say that Ferns are indis- 
pensable in any collection of plants, how- 
ever select. Their elegant, distinct, and 
varied forms afford a marked contrast to 
everything else in the vegetable kingdom, 
varying in appearance as they do from the 
noble arborescent species to the low spread- 
ing Hymenophyllums, with their singular 
filmy leaves, and the grotesque-looking 
Platyceriums. They are favourites with 
all lovers of plants. With few exceptions, 
they are easily grown, providing a few 
matters indispensable to nearly all the 
species are kept in view. Taken as a whole, 
Ferns are moisture and shade-loving plants, 
mostly found growing naturally in damp 
places, where there is not only a consider- 
able amount of moisture within reach of 
their roots, but where the atmosphere is 
more or less charged with moisture. 
