36 SCHOOL AND HOME GARDENS 



must be well drained, so that the water will run away 

 from the roots easily. There should be a space of at least 

 an inch above the soil in the pot so that it may be given 

 an occasional dressing of well-decayed leaf mold. This 

 will supply the plant with some nourishment and help 

 hold the moisture. Ordinarily the leaves need not be 

 watered, but they must be washed when they become 

 dusty. 



In repotting the plant use well-rotted manure, leaf 

 mold, soil, and sand, one part of each. The soil must 

 be well mixed but should not be too fine. 



Ferns are reproduced by means of spores that grow 

 on the underside of the leaves, but this cannot be done 

 successfully in the house without the help of a glass 

 case to retain the moisture. New plants which come up 

 from the roots may be obtained from a thrifty fern in a 

 large pot. 



PALMS 



Kentia belmoreana, one of the erect-growing, feather- 

 leaved palms, is the most beautiful and successful plant 

 for halls and other places in school buildings where 

 light is not abundant. The foliage is dark green and the 

 leaves are wide and gracefully recurved. It does not 

 need any direct sunlight and will stand a temperature 

 nearly as low as freezing or the usual living-room 

 temperature. 



For a low- growing variety the fan palm (Livistona 

 sinensis) is the most popular. It is of a compact and 



