408 
Gymnogramme—continwed. 
All the species are very ornamental, and the majority 
of them may be grown with great success in hanging- 
baskets, in which they show off their beantifal colours 
to perfection. Where this method of cultivating them is 
practicable it is really the most suitable, as these plants 
are fond of light and also of an atmosphere drier than 
that found in the ordinary Fernery or the warm plant- 
house. However, owing to their great size and robust 
growth, some kinds can only be grown in pots. 
Gymnogrammes should be potted firmly in light material, 
made up of two parts fibrous peat, one part of leaf-mould 
(where this is not readily procurable, the same quantity 
of finely-chopped sphagnum may be substituted), and one 
part of silver-sand. Those grown in pots should not be mixed 
among other Ferns; they should be kept by themselves 
and out of reach of the water from the syringe, as they 
not only suffer from the effects of overhead watering, but 
also present a wretched appearance, the white or yellow 
meal being easily displaced by the slightest sprinkling. 
They grow very well and get much better coloured if kept 
without, or with only very light, shading, the light, how- 
Fie. 427. GYMNOGRAMME LANCEOLATA. 
ever strong, never being too much for them, provided they 
have been accustomed to if from the first, and that plenty 
of ventilation is afforded. Althongh particularly foul of a 
dry atmosphere, Gymnogrammes are plants which saffer 
very much if water at the roots is not freely applied, 
and neglect in this respect often accounts for the diminutive 
size in which they are sometimes found in general col- 
lections. : 
Gymnogrammes are readily propagated from their spores, 
which germinate freely and make handsome specimens in a 
comparatively short time. 
As is the case with all large genera of Ferns, there are 
a few individuals which require special treatment, or which 
possess peculiarities not known to the general cultivator. 
When first introduced, G. japonica was expected to 
become a good evergreen Fern for ontdoor culture. In 
that respect it has not answered expectations, as it will 
only bear a few degrees of frost, and can hardly be called 
an evergreen, as the old fronds, although dying down 
gradually, have all disappeared by the time the new ones 
make their appearance. The general aspect of the plant 
is that of a broad-leaved Pteris cretica of a very dark 
colour and stiff habit. It is a great lover of moisture, 
and to do well requires a quantity of water at the roots 
all the year round. ‘The soil which suits it best is a 
mixture of about equal quantities of peat and fibrous 
loam. The plant has a great antipathy to being potted 
hard, and particularly dislikes water on the fronds, which 
turn black in a very short time if subjected to frequent 
syringings. 
Although generally considered fairly hardy, G. lepto- 
phylla (Fig. 423) thrives best in the warm honse, where 
PO are RAN ich et ec. Se eae ene a 
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THE DICTIONARY OF GARDENING, 
Gymnogramme—continued. 
one frequently finds seedlings coming up spontaneously on 
the surface of the pots containing other plants. A warm, 
shady, moist nook in the Fernery is therefore the most 
suitable situation. The compost which this species prefers 
is one made of equal parts leaf-mould, peat, and loam, 
with a little sand. It also requires, while growing, an 
abundant supply of water at the roots, but must have 
thoroughly good drainage. 
G. pal is a robust species, and under liberal treat- 
ment, and en grown in such a place that its gradually- 
extending fronds can be trained near the glass of the 
roof, it forms a very picturesque object. 
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Fic. 428. GyMNOGRAMME MICROPHYLLA. 
Other interesting kinds are G. alismezfolia, with Alisma- 
like fronds (Fig. 424); G. Andersoni (Fig. 425), a minute 
species; the elegant G, cherophylla (Fig. 426); G. lanceo- 
lata (Fig. 427), which in its native country is frequently 
found growing upon trees; and the small G. microphylla 
(Fig. 428). ; 
To the species and varieties described on pp. 104-5, 
Vol. II., the following should be added: 
G. argentea (silvery). sti. slender, glossy, chestnut-brown, 
2in. to 3in. long. fronds deltoid, quadripinnatifid ; pinne often 
distant, deltoid, the lowest 3in. to 4in. long, 2in. broad, of a 
Fia. 429. GyMNOGRAMME CORDATA. 
