THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 277 



shade and moisture, and there is no fear of your being unsuccessful- 

 The most preferable way of growing them, especially the dwarf 

 tender species, is in a Wardian case. But very good specimens cau 

 be got up in a pot in the window, if a miniature greenhouse or 

 Wardian case is out of your reach. 



It will be quite unnecessary to enter into details regarding the 

 distinctive marks and habits of the few greenhouse ferns I shall 

 select. I shall merely draw up a short list of the varieties con- 

 sidered suitable for your purpose, from wbich you can select at 

 pleasure. They can all be procured from any respectable nursery- 

 man at moderate prices. 



Adiantum cuneatum and Adiantum formosum are two favourite 

 maidenhair ferns found in all greenhouse collections ; also A. 

 pedatum. 



Asplenium attenuatum and Asplenhim bulbiferum are two ex- 

 cellent greenhouse spleenworts, A. bulbiferum especially being a 

 handsome plant found in all collections. A. flabelliforme is also 

 excellent. 



Platycarium alieorne, the curious elk's-horn fern, has the true 

 appearance of an elk's horn. 



Davalb'a canariensis, or the hare's-foot fern ; the creeping stems 

 of this curious fern are very massive and hairy-looking, having just 

 the appearance of a hare's foot. D. alpina and D. elegans are very 

 good. 



Pteris serrulata, a graceful favourite greenhouse fern. P. s. varie- 

 gaia is. a variegated form of the above. 



Pteris serrulata cristata, is a crested variety of the above, and 

 quite a gem. 



Pteris crtstica albo-lineata is a beautiful variegated fern, and au 

 excellent variety for pot culture. 



Pteris tremula is a strong-growing triangular fronded fern, rather 

 like the common bracken, though finer in form. A capital plant for 

 pot culture from its readiness to grow. Also P. ternifoliwm. 



The Mosses or Selaginellas of the greenhouse are beautiful 

 subjects for window gardening. The common greenhouse moss, 

 Selaginella denticulata, especially, might grow in several patches 

 among the gravel or sand on the floor of your miniature greenhouse, 

 and would add an extra charm to the general effect. A little bit in 

 the flower or fern pots if not allowed to spread over the surface, to 

 exclude the air, looks very interesting, and a pot or pan filled with 

 it, or the variegated variety, looks very neat and pretty, and makes 

 a tasteful centre for a table when grown into a dense mass. To 

 propagate the selaginellas, or mosses, you only require to take a few 

 points of the piant, and insert them over the surface of the pot. 

 They take root easily but require to be kept damp, and shaded from 

 too strong light and sunshine. 



There are a good many of them that would suit window gar- 

 deners, but besides the two I have mentioned, S. denticulata and S- 

 <l< nticulata variegata, there are only three others I will recommend. 

 Selaginella cvesia, or the blue-shaded moss, which looks beautiful 

 suspended in a pot, having a trailing habit ; Selaginella stolonij'era, a 



September. 



