SOWING SPORES 7 



There is a considerable difference in the time it takes 

 for the various species to germinate. Some begin to show 

 the green prothallia in less than a week, while others may 

 remain dormant for months. And it sometimes occurs 

 that some other sorts may spring up while those 

 desired remain dormant, and any stray seedlings 

 should be removed as they appear. I have had two 

 or three crops from the pots in some instances, 

 before the variety actually sown has appeared. And 

 I have also found that unless those which germinate 

 early are removed as they appear, they will effectually 

 choke the slower growing variety which it is desired to 

 establish. There is some difference of opinion in regard 

 to the time of sowing spores. Ordinary sorts may be sown 

 at any time, but with the choicer varieties the best time to 

 sow is early in the year. And in most instances this will 

 give time to establish plants the same season, while if sown 

 later they will not have sufficient strength to live through 

 the following Winter. Most species require handling 

 three times before they are ready for small pots. First, as 

 soon as the seed-pots are covered with the green prothallia 

 they must be transferred to others prepared with some light 

 sandy compost on the surface. The sporling (or seedlings) 

 are taken out in little patches with the point of a stick and 

 lightly pressed on the surface of the newly prepared pots, 

 giving from half to three quarters of an inch between 

 each patch. After this is done they should be kept in a 

 close warm frame for a time. A little later on they will 

 require dividing again. And some may require divid- 

 ing a third time. All seedlings raised early in the 

 year may be started in warmth, but the hardy sorts 

 should be removed to cooler quarters as soon as 

 they are well established. All the young plants should 

 be exposed for a time before potting off singly. A good 

 position is on a shelf close to the glass, the tender sorts 

 in the warmest part of the house, and the hardier sorts 



