8 



THE DICTIONARY OF GARDENING, 



Ferns continued. 



Anything like a sour or waterlogged soil is either detri- 

 mental or fatal, even to those which are not quickly injured 

 in other respects. Success in the cultivation of esta- 

 blished plants depends more on this, with careful water- 

 ing, temperature, atmospheric moisture, proper shade, 

 &c., than on any soil in which they may be grown. 



Fio. 7. VIEW OF UNDERGROUND FERNERY. 



Adiantums, for instance, succeed well either in peat or 

 loam alone, the texture of the fronds being firmer in 

 the latter instance, and presenting apparently the only 

 difference. A large proportion of peat was at one time 

 considered necessary for all Ferns, but the superior 

 qualities of leaf soil in their culture, where it can 

 be obtained, have been more fully recognised of late, 

 with considerable advantage to the plants. Soft sand- 

 stone, mixed with the soil, tends to keep it porous, and 

 suits some varieties better than others ; and charcoal 

 may be used freely with all. The different habits will 

 often suggest the mode of treatment required. It will 

 not be far wrong to say that a compost of half loam, 

 to which is added an equal quantity of leaf soil and peat 

 combined, and sufficient charcoal, small pieces of crocks, 

 or sharp sand, to keep the whole open, may be used 

 successfully for all Tree Ferns and any established plants 

 of Adiantum, Aspidium, Asplenium, many species of 

 Davallia, Gymnogramme, Lomaria, Nephrodium, Pteris, 

 and any others of similar habit. The species of Acro- 

 stichum, Davallia, &c., that form slender rhizomes, must 

 be attached to something on which they can grow. A 

 good plan is to cultivate in pans, placing an inverted 

 pot or a piece of Tree Fern stem in the middle, and then 

 building a small mound on the top with lumps of peat, 

 loam, and sphagnum, afterwards fixing the rhizomes to 

 the surface with small pegs. Epiphytal Ferns, of which 

 Platycerium is a well-known and distinct genus, often 

 succeed admirably if fastened with a little moss and peat 

 to a block of wood, and suspended in the stove. They 



Perns continued . 



should be kept rather dry in winter. Similar composts, 

 as advised above, if passed through a sieve, may be 

 used for young plants. Ferns succeed in pots com- 

 paratively small for the size of plants, if due attention 

 is given to watering. Small pots have also an advantage 

 in appearance ; and any deficiency in the quantity of 

 food contained in the soil may be supplied with appli- 

 cations of manure water during the growing season. 



Insects. Ferns, especially those under stove treatment, 

 are liable to be attacked by several destructive insect 

 pests. Thrips are their greatest enemies, causing irre- 

 parable damage to the fronds. Frequent fumigating 

 becomes a necessity; this must be done lightly and 

 with the greatest care, on account of the tender growth. 

 Any Aphides will also be destroyed by the smoke at the 

 same time. Brown and White Scale are sometimes 

 plentiful, and these must be removed by sponge or 

 brush. The first-named is the one most common on 

 Ferns, the other, fortunately, being more rarely found, as, 

 when once established, it is very difficult to eradicate. 

 Mealy Bug must be destroyed in a similar way to Scale, 

 as an insecticide strong enough to kill either, will, to 

 say the least, be dangerous to use, in consequence of 

 causing injury to the fronds of delicate texture. In 

 winter, when the plants are at rest, the whole should 

 be examined and cleaned, as stronger measures may 

 then be adopted, by fumigation or the use of an insecti- 

 cide, than would be safe after growth commences. At all 

 times, a watch must be kept for the first appearance of 

 insects, as proper means for destruction then applied are 

 always more effective in their results. 



FERONIA (mythological, after Feronia, a nymph who 

 presided over the woods and groves, and was worshipped 

 by the Romans as a goddess). OBD. Rutacece. A stove 

 evergreen fruit-tree, allied to the Orange (Citrus). It 

 thrives well in a mixture of rich loam and peat, with a 

 little sand added. Increased, in spring or summer, by 

 placing cuttings of ripe young shoots in sandy soil, under 

 srlass, in bottom heat. 



FIG. 8. FLOWERING 



