6 THE BOOK OF FERN CULTURE 



spores keep best in a dry warm position ; after they are 

 properly dried they may be shut up in a close tin box. 



SOWING SPORES 



The first thing is the preparation of the pots. The 

 old method of filling them half full of drainage is a 

 wrong one ! A larger surface of soil will retain the 

 moisture better. In the market-nurseries no drainage is 

 used, the pots being filled with good loam, to within 

 about an inch of the top. A thorough soaking with 

 water is then given. After this a slight surfacing of 

 powdered charcoal and crock dust, which should be 

 shaken through a fine sieve, is given. Another water- 

 ing may then be given. The pots will then be ready 

 for sowing the spores. The most important matter 

 regarding the sowing is to avoid being too liberal 

 with the spores. I have found many failures occur 

 through sowing too thickly. Another point is that 

 where several sorts are to be sown at the same time, 

 care should be taken that the spores which are being 

 sown cannot float on to the pots that are to be used for 

 other sorts. And after sowing one variety, a duster should 

 be used to cleanse the hands and any part where the 

 spores may have settled. When sown, the pots may 

 be placed in a close warm frame, each being put in a 

 saucer of water; or they may be placed in any convenient 

 position where they get light without the direct rays of 

 the sun coming on them, and each pot covered with a 

 piece of glass. When this is done the glass should be 

 reversed every morning to avoid the condensed moisture 

 dripping on to the surface. No surface watering should 

 be given after the spores are sown. Light is an essential, 

 and I have found that those in the open germinate better 

 than others which have been in a close frame where it 

 has been necessary to cover to keep the sun off. 



