INTEODUCTION. Xlll 



people use, and it answers the purpose admirably. It should 

 be sewed together and nailed on with small tacks (nails) 

 driven through a piece of leather or list about the size of 

 a shilling. It should remain on permanently, and will last 

 three years. 



" Watering. Some people imagine that Ferns are aqua- 

 tics ; at all events, they get generally too much of that they 

 are fond of viz., a moist atmosphere, sufficient water at the 

 root as to prevent the fronds from flagging, and, when 

 growing, an abundance of it that is, when they are in want 

 of water, give them a good drink, and not deal out to them 

 half-allowances. Cold, dry currents of air are to be avoided, 

 for it dries them up like cut grass under a July's sun. At 

 all times the stones (rock) should be kept moist ; and during 

 the hotter summer months a light sprinkling overhead from 

 the syringe every day at even is very beneficial." 



SOIL. 



To grow Ferns satisfactorily the right soil is an im- 

 portant point. Growing, as they generally do, in the 

 thickets or jungles, in hot climates, where the soil is prin- 

 cipally formed of decayed leaves, small branches of trees, 

 their roots small and fibrous, in a close moist atmosphere, 

 we have only to imitate such circumstances, and success will 

 attend our efforts. In this country we must have houses 

 artificially heated to. the requisite degree, and the proper 

 soil or compost procured. The materials for this compost, 

 that we have used with perfect success, can be easily pro- 

 cured in most parts of Britain. They consist of vegetable 

 mould, formed of decayed leaves, peat soil or, as it is 

 generally termed, heath mould, silver sand, and sphagnum 

 or bog moss. We mix these in the following proportions 



