FERXS AND I A' CO PODS. 159 



S. erythropus is a useful species with reddish stems reaching a height 

 of about 9 inches. 



S. Martensii, a Mexican species, isone of those most frequently grown. 

 It is exceedingly easy to propagate, as long aerial roots are made from 

 the stems. Cuttings, say about 4 inches in length, will root well if put 

 in small pots and kept close; or to fill large pans, and have them present 

 a well-furnished appearance in a short time, root the pieces in sand, 

 afterward putting directly in the pans. 



S. lepidophylla is the well-known "Resurrection Plant," which, when 

 dry, curls up into a ball, and which uncurls when placed in water. 



S. viticulosa grows about 8 inches high, is always bright green. An 

 easily divided plant and useful in a small state. 



S. cassia arborea is a climbing species very suitable for rambling over 

 rustic work in a moist conservatory. Where its serial roots are allowed 

 to fasten themselves to suitable material it grows into a dense, irregular 

 mass of lovely bluish-green foliage. 



Soil This should be of a porous nature, through which water will 

 pass freely. Small plants from spores will need about two parts leaf 

 soil and one each of loam and sand. Loam, whenever used, should be 

 fibrous, well broken up and not sifted. For plants in pots larger than 4- 

 inch, leaf soil, loam and sand, in equal parts, will be a safe compound. 

 Some Ferns, notably A. Farleyense, are benefited by having some rotted 

 cow manure mixed with the soil. Large plants, and those which have 

 to remain in the same pots for any length of time without shifting, 

 should have less leaf soil and more loam. But most of the species thrive 

 in a variety of soils. The usual time for potting large plants is before 

 starting into growth; but rapid-growing, small plants should be shifted 

 into larger pots as they need them. 



Summer Quarters for Cool House Ferns Many Ferns used during 

 Winter as decorative plants will be found to put on a vigorous growth 

 in frames during the warm months. Select those frames with a northern 

 exposure, with the sashes tilted to give an abundance of air. The pots 

 may be plunged or placed on some material capable of giving off consid- 

 erable moisture. The plants may be kept in this structure till cool 

 weather. Among the kinds which may be thus treated are Pteris Yic- 

 toriae, P. cretica albo-lineata, P. Mayii, P. serrulata and its many 

 forms, P. tremula, P. hastata, Onychium japonicum, Aspidium capense, 

 Adiantum Capillus-Veneris, A.formosum,Cyrtomium falcatum and Dick- 

 sonia antarctica. In Winter a minimum temperature of 45 degrees will 

 keep all of the Ferns named above in healthy condition. For the tender 

 kinds 10 to 15 degrees higher will be necessary. 



Shading Some Ferns, such as Cheilanthes vestita, grow in dry places 

 in the full sun, but the vast majority thrive only under conditions exactly 

 the reverse. In Winter the very thinnest shade will be sufficient, and 

 from the 1st of April to the end of September it should be heavy enough 

 to intercept the sun'e rays. 



