The Canadian Horticulturist. 139 



much injury ; but the Maiden hair fern, (Adianlum pedatum), and many of 

 the aspleniums are readily blighted by exposure to hot drying winds. Nearly 

 all the ferns thrive best under partial shade and good shelter. 



Some of the handsomest specimens of polypodium I have ever seen, out of 

 a fern conservatory, were growing on the shady side of an artificial rockery. 



Ferns are easily cultivated when the essentials are complied with. I have 

 seen some thriving remarkably well in rustic flower stands, and the sword fern 

 needs nothing better than half of a nail keg. 



In their natural abode ferns are generally growing on land which has never 

 been impoverished by cropping, hence it is evident they like a soil rich in humus. 

 The most suitable kind of new soil for them is a mixture of leaf-mould, decayed 

 turf and sharp-sand, nearly equal parts. 



During the season of growth, a liberal supply of water is needed, at the same 

 time stagnant water in the soil is disagreeable to them and good drainage is 

 necessary. Plants growing in pots, boxes or fern cases, may be thoroughly 

 drained by placing over the holes in the bottom, pieces of broken flower pots or 

 charcoal, over this should be spread some moss to prevent the soil mixing with 

 the drainage, thereby preventing the water from passing freely off*. 



Cataraqui. D. NicOL. 



Bulbs aftep Flowering. 



Answer to Query 62 j. By Mr. C. W. Young, Editor of the '''' Freelwlder,'' 



Cornwall. 



Hyacinth bulbs can be flowered twice in the house in pots. They can be 

 kept in the pots when done flowering, and in September or October well watered 

 and put m a dark place in the cellar, needing nothing further except to bring 

 to the light in about four or six weeks. Narcissus of all kinds, and tulips, can 

 be treated the same way, or they can be shaken out of the soil when dry, and 

 put away in a dry place till time to plant in the fall. They will not flower well 

 more than two years in the house, and the second year bloom will be inferior. 

 Crocuses will not bloom well twice in the house. Freesias, lachenalias and 

 other Cape bulbs should not be taken out of the pots, but kept growing, if pos. 

 sible, as they improve from year to year. Bulbs of any kind grown in water are 

 not much use for any purpose afterwards, but if not rotted it would do to plant 

 them, and also bulbs flowered in earth in the house two years, in some comer 

 of the garden, where they will continue to bloom in a fitful sort of way for 

 several years. The small bulblets may be planted with the others. They may 

 or may not come to anything, according to what kind they are. 



