XX INTEODUCTION. 



the insect pests to which these plants are subject. They 

 must be kept down by hand ; and this should be done 

 while they are young and light-coloured, otherwise their 

 eggs are scattered, and the mischief is only increased. 

 Mealy bug, with its tufts of white woolly substance, is not 

 often seen among Ferns. Thrips are more frequently found ; 

 but generally speaking, as we have elsewhere shown, they 

 are often a sign that the plant is grown in too much heat. 

 They should be kept down, taking the plant as soon as they 

 are noticed, laying it upon its side on the turf or on a 

 mat, and syringing it off. Smoking with tobacco will also 

 destroy them, as well as the green fly, which will make its 

 appearance in spring when the plants are throwing up their 

 new fronds. 



FEBN PILLARS. 



Mr. J. Tyerman, the present Curator of the Liverpool 

 Botanic Gardens, pointed out a very ornamental way of 

 growing Ferns, a few years ago, in the pages of the Cottage 

 Gardener. The annexed woodcut will give an idea of the 

 effect which may thus be produced in the conservatory. Its 

 construction will be understood by Mr. Tyerman's descrip- 

 tion. He says : 



" I am very desirous of calling your attention to a Fern- 

 brick, the invention of Dr. Watson, a medical gentleman of 

 this city. I have enclosed a few pencil sketches, showing 

 the adaptability of them to various purposes of ornamental 

 Fern-growing. The original intention of the inventor was 

 to form a temporary wall or pier with square bricks, so that 

 they might be taken out and replaced at pleasure ; but I 

 consider their greatest merit is to adapt them for ornamental 

 conservatory or greenhouse decoration. A few explanations 

 will give you my meaning. 



