THE FLOEAL WOELD AND GAEDEN GUIDE. 



335 



shines and the drought of summer is never felt, they perish at once 

 in a dry atmosphere ; and even if relieved in time to prevent their 

 death, they are robbed of their beauty for an entire season, their 

 beautiful membranous fronds shrivelling up as before the breath of 

 a furnace. Sunshine is nearly as disastrous in effect as drought, a 

 few minutes of a warm sun being sufficient to scorch them up. 



In hot dry weather they should have several vapoury sprinklings 

 of tepid water during the day. In cloudy weather, when the circula- 

 tion of air is less active, one or two sprinklings will be sufficient. 

 Syringing should never be attempted in their case ; a light vapoury 

 sprinkling or dewing is the proper thing, and a small watering-pot 

 with a very fine rose will do it nicely. 



The same soil as recommended for ferns in the previous paper 

 suits the filmy ferns well, but lumps of sandstone should be added, 

 as they love to cling with their roots around the stones. Some of 

 them prefer clinging moss-like to open porous blocks of sand- 

 stone, or lumps of charcoal, to growing in prepared soil. In potting 

 them in pots or planting them in earthenware baskets, never neglect 



to give tbem plenty of drainage. One large crock over the drainage 



hole and a handful above it, with some sand knobs added, and a 



largish lump of sandstone in the centre for the roots to cling to, will 



be sufficient. It is a very good plan to cover the drainage with a 



little moss before putting in the soil, which will prevent the water 



from washing the soil down into the drainage and choking it up. 

 Under bell-glasses the filmy ferns thrive very well if the same 



attention be paid to them as when in the fern case, for it acts on 



the same principle. A large earthenware pan is the proper thing 



to choose, with a bell-glass to suit. The ferns should be planted 



out in the same soil as thatrecommend- 



ed for case ferns, with several largish 



lumps of open sandstone for them to 



cling to, and to aid the drainage, which 



must be ample and properly put in. 



Before putting the soil into either pots 



or pans examine it well, in case small 



worms or other vermin may be lodging 



in it. They cause much mischief if 



allowed to remain. 



Cases and bell-glasses require very 



little ventilation. A small hole in the 



knob of the bell-glass is sufficinet; 



while for the case, if the top glass is 



put loosely in, the small quantity of 



air admitted through the crevices will 



cause quite sufficient circulation. 



Never give any air by the bottom of 



the case or bell-glass, for air given that 



way causes chilling draughts ; always 



give air by the top when you do give it. Air need only be ad mil led 



once a month, and watering may be done at the same time, which if* 



often enough. All you require to do is to take off the top of the 



November. 





