AN ENCYCLOPAEDIA OF HORTICULTURE. 



Perns continued. 



among Filmy Ferns. Todea superba is a vigorous species, 

 having large fronds of a filmy texture; and T. hymeno- 

 phylloides is smaller-growing, but very desirable ; both 

 being beautiful and more easily grown than the majority 

 of the plants in this section. 



WARDIAN CASES. Ferns used for decorating Wardian 

 cases must only include those of small or moderate 

 growth, the space inside being very limited. The system 

 admits of more moisture being kept round the plants 

 than would be possible in an open room where the air 

 is frequently dried either by burning gas or a fire. It 

 is always important, in changing plants in these cases 

 that become unhealthy, to substitute others from a cool 

 house, as, if insufficiently hardened, the young fronds 

 soon wither and die. Ample drainage must be provided, 

 and, if plants in pots are used, the latter should be 

 covered with growing sphagnum. Ferns in Wardian 

 cases keep fresh and attractive for a long time if they 

 receive proper attention. Cases somewhat similar in 

 construction, may be used in cool houses for small col- 

 lections of Filmy Ferns. 



FIG. 6. DEAD TREE FERN, DECORATED WITH FERNS. 



TREE FERNS. Considerable space and lofty houses 

 are essential for growing and exhibiting Tree Ferns in 

 their true characters. In Ferneries of limited size, where 

 a few are cultivated, it is best to restrict their root growth 

 in large pots or tubs, which also allows of their being 

 re-arranged occasionally when overgrowing other smaller 

 plants. In very large conservatories, a few permanent 

 specimens planted out in well-drained borders, succeed, 

 perhaps, better than in any other position, and always 

 present a majestic appearance unexcelled by any other 

 plants similarly employed. Alsophila australis and 

 A. excelsa, Cyathea dealbata and C. medullaris (the 

 latter is probably the tallest-growing of all our cultivated 

 Ferns), with Dicksonia antarctica, are the best for culture 

 in the greenhouse. All these may also be used in 

 sub-tropical gardening outside in summer, in sheltered, 



Ferns continued. 



shady places. There are many stove species of Tree 

 Ferns, all of which are beautiful, and worthy of culti- 

 vation in large heated structures. They all, especially 

 Alsophilas, delight in plenty of atmospheric moisture 

 and shade. The stems of imported Tree Ferns should, 

 on their arrival, be covered with damp moss or canvas, and 

 be kept moist by syringing until the new fronds appear. 

 The time this takes varies according to the condition in 

 which they arrive, and the season. When the head of 

 fronds is established, the covering may be removed 

 from the stem ; but frequent syringing in summer time 

 is of the highest importance, as by far the greater 

 portion of the stems of many is literally a mass of roots 

 requiring a quantity of water. Tree Ferns, in bad health, 

 may often be greatly improved by covering the stem 

 from the base to the fronds with lin. of sphagnum, and 

 tying it on with string. If kept moist, the roots soon 

 fill the moss, and the stem is thus considerably enlarged. 

 Tree Ferns that are dead on arrival may be utilised by 

 covering with epiphytal or other small Ferns for stove or 

 greenhouse decoration (see Fig. 6), the top being scooped 

 out, and a free-growing variety with a pendent habit 

 inserted and planted in soil ; others being fastened on the 

 side with blocks of peat and some small wire. 



HARDY FERNS. These are all attractive, and the ma- 

 jority succeed best when planted on rockwork in a shady 

 situation, sheltered from high winds. A great diversity, 

 both in size and habit, is represented by the British species 

 and their innumerable varieties, apart from those intro- 

 duced from North America, Japan, &c. Many suitable 

 positions for hardy Ferns may be found in most gardens 

 where their culture is not now attempted. They should 

 have a good depth of soil, and plenty of water in summer. 

 In the case of a collection, a pile of rockwork, built with 

 rough stones, allows of a place being selected for all, 

 according to their size and habit. A good clump of those 

 which are plentiful should be planted together, and suffi- 

 cient space allowed them to grow and develop, as in this 

 way the different characters are much better shown than 

 when only single plants are used. Attention in their 

 arrangement should also be directed in placing the ever- 

 green and deciduous species irregularly throughout the 

 space covered, so that the whole may be, more or less, 

 furnished at all seasons. In building a rockwork for 

 hardy Ferns, the requirements of the plants must be the 

 main object, large, well-drained pockets being insured in 

 preference to the appearance of the stones, that are, in 

 great part, hidden by the fronds. Loam and peat, with 

 a quantity of crushed stone or brick, intermixed and 

 used round the roots when planting, materially assist 

 them to become established. The Eoyal Fern (Osmunda 

 regalis) is one of the most handsome, and succeeds best 

 when planted in a partial bog, or by the side of water. 



UNDERGROUND FERNERY. This is an interesting struc- 

 ture, to be seen only in a few places, where the owners 

 bestow special attention on Fern culture in its various 

 aspects. It consists of a large cavity, dug in the middle 

 of a hill, and covered with sheet glass, the hill itself being 

 surrounded on the summit with trees. A flight of steps 

 communicates with the interior, where Ferns are grown 

 on the inside of the cavity in prepared soil, narrow paths 

 or stepping stones being provided on which to walk 

 amongst them. A fountain, or other arrangement for 

 water, supplies the necessary moisture. The plants do 

 not require artificial heat, as they are not much affected 

 by fluctuations of temperature outside, and a subdued 

 light is constantly admitted by the glass overhead. A 

 view of an underground Fernery is shown in Fig. 7. 



SOIL, POTS, &c., FOR FERN CULTURE. Nearly all 

 Ferns require a quantity of water in summer, and rarely 

 need to be dry at the roots at any season, consequently 

 a very important matter is that of efficient drainage. 



