Growing Flowers 59 



It is hard on them to have to readjust themselves 

 to different soil and it will usually take some time 

 for them to get a good growing start. 



In cold climates ferns must be brought into the 

 house during the winter, where they are apt to gather 

 dust with no refreshing rain to wash it off. The 

 pores become clogged and the plants droop from 

 apparently no cause, while what they need is air. 

 If they are placed in the washtub and sponged off 

 with soft soapy water every two or three weeks, 

 they will remain fresh and green. 



The Boston fern is one of the most popular ferns. 

 Its fronds grow to a length of several feet when soil 

 conditions are right. It should have a light, 

 spongy soil and only a moderate amount of water, 

 never applying enough to make the soil muddy. 



When a fern does not thrive, try putting a couple 

 of raw oysters under the dirt very close to the 

 roots of the plant. The oysters will nourish the 

 plant and in most instances it will grow like magic. 



In preparing soil for ferns, mix one part of leaf- 

 mold with one part of sand and two parts of 

 turfy loam. This should be prepared a month or 



