CHAPTER XIX 



HARDY FERNS 



IN the culture of our British and other hardy Ferns it 

 must be remembered that under their natural conditions 

 they have some protection during the winter from their 

 own fronds which have ripened off, and also from leaves 

 and other vegetable matter, which also provides new 

 material for the roots the following season. And another 

 point is that they get more moisture when dormant than 

 they often do when in active growth. In the Rock 

 Fernery, or when planted out, there is not much danger 

 of damage through drought, but when grown in pots it 

 is different, and having seen many losses through being 

 kept too dry, it seems necessary to call attention to the 

 necessity of keeping the roots fairly moist during the 

 Winter. They should not be flooded with water, but 

 should have sufficient to keep the roots fresh and ready 

 to supply assistance when active growth sets in. It is 

 safe to say that it is here where many failures occur, for 

 after Ferns have had a dormant period, when they do 

 start they soon exhaust the stored-up energy, and the 

 roots must be ready to follow on with further supplies of 

 nutriment, and it is at this period when watering must 

 have careful attention. Special care should be taken not 

 to sour the soil by excessive moisture. In nature it is 

 only those which happen to find congenial conditions 

 that survive. It may be as well to point out that 

 spores being produced in such great abundance, it would 

 be impossible for all the seedlings to survive or to grow, 



