204 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



ment3, and to achieve success in their culture they must be placed 

 nnder conditions somewhat similar to those under which they are 

 placed in a state of nature. 



To cultivate filmy ferns successfully is not difficult, and no great 

 expense need he incurred in providirig for their wants ; a single 

 specimen may he grown under an ordinary hell-glass, half-a-dozen 

 plants in an ordinary plant or fern case, but if the collection is 

 rather large, a cool shady corner of the fernery may be shut off from 

 the other part of the house by means of a division, or, more properly 

 speaking, a glass screen. The close moist atmosphere so essential 

 to their health, is more or less hurtful to the majority of the other 

 ferns, therefore some separation is necessary in the interest of both 

 classes. Even if the collection is large, it does not necessarily follow 

 that the fernery should have a division of glass put up, for all the 

 plants can be grown sinsly under glasses, or a few may be grouped 

 together in cases. At Kew Gardens, for example, iu which the col- 

 lection is thoroughly representative, each species is grown in a 

 separate case of somewhat primitive construction, and this plan 

 may be commended to the notice of those amateurs who are disposed 

 to commence their culture. A beginning may be made with two or 

 three kinds, and as soon as their cultivation is well understood they 

 can be added to according to the inclination of the cultivator. By this 

 arrangement there will be no great outlay at any one time either for 

 plants or for cases, and there will be sufficient opportunities for be- 

 coming well acquainted with their requirements before a large out- 

 lay is made. This is a point of some importance, for they are mostly 

 rather expensive to ptirchase. A leaky aquarium, with a cover of 

 green glass, is in every way suitable for these ferns, when no longer 

 fit for its original purpose. 



The species to which special reference is now made, may be 

 divided into two classes, ona comprising those requiring the tem- 

 perature of a stove, acd the other, those succeeding well in a cocl 

 fernery or greenhouse. They will ail grow freely in the stove, but in 

 purchasing it is desirable to select the sorts according to the tem- 

 perature in which they are to be grown. A list of a few of the 

 most desirable species will be given, with indication of the tempera- 

 ture most suitable for each, so that there will be no difficulty in 

 selecting suitable kinds. 



In fitting up cases for these ferns a moderate quantity of soil 

 must be provided, and above the soil should project pieces of stone 

 that is rather soft, and that will hold the moisture. 



The Hymenophyllums and the Trichomanes have creeping rhi- 

 zomes, and spread over the surface and any piece of rock that may be 

 placed on the soil ; whilst the Todeas have a single upright stem, and 

 one of the species when of rather large size has the appearance of a 

 miniature tree fern. The Todeas therefore should be grown in an 

 ordinary pot, and the pot placed in the case, or in a pan and covered 

 ■with a bell-glass ; the others should be grown in ordinary piins. The 

 Todeas have spreading fronds, and plants growing in six-inch pots 

 will require a bell-glass twelve or fifteen inches in diameter to allow 

 of the fuU development of the fronds. Larger plants will of course 



