FOLIAGE PLANTS 361 



the tree ferns, fifost of the fronds spring from underground 

 rhizomes. They are rapid growers and quickly fill the 

 pots, therefore it is necessary to re-pot frequently. Be- 

 cause of this system of dense underground stems, young 

 plants are more satisfactory than older ones. The frond 

 characters are usually heavy and ornamental. 



Habitat. There are about 4000 species, widely dis- 

 tributed throughout all countries. 



561. Propagation. Ferns are propagated by four 

 methods : spores, bulblets, division, and runners or offsets. 

 The principal method of reproduction is by spores. A 

 few species, however, will not reproduce by spores, and, 

 therefore, other methods must be employed. Spores are 

 usually formed on the back of the fronds in large numbers. 

 When mature, these are collected in paper sacks and al- 

 lowed to dry for one or two weeks before sowing. The 

 soil for sowing spores should be of a light, porous char- 

 acter, composed of equal parts garden loam and leaf- 

 mold, with sand enough for drainage, and should be 

 finely sifted. The spores are usually sown in pans, but 

 when large quantities are propagated, flats are used. 

 Considerable drainage is placed in the bottom of the 

 pans, and the remainder is filled with soil. It should be 

 moistened thoroughly and the spores scattered evenly 

 over it, then covered with a glass. The glass should re- 

 main in position until the sporelings have germinated. 

 \Yhen they have developed their second leaf, they should 

 be pricked into flats, using a soil composed of equal parts 

 leaf-mold and sand. 



The pan should be kept in a temperature of 55 to 60. 

 Most varieties are easily propagated in this way, and when 

 potted into two and one-quarter-inch pots, make excellent 

 plants for fern dishes. 



