PROPAGATION. 173 



Another mode of raising Ferns from spores is that practised 

 by Mr. Frazer, gardener to John Shaw Leigh, Esq., of Luton 

 Hoo Park, near Luton, Bedfordshire. In a communication on 

 the subject he says : 



"I have been reading with much interest this morning 

 your mode of propagating hardy Ferns. I am now raising 

 many seedlings of the exotic species. The Bird's -nest 

 (Neottopteris australasica) , I have long tried without success 

 till lately. I find it can with me only be induced to germinate 

 when sown on pieces of mossy bark ; or, I daresay, as you 

 recommend, on pieces of brickbats or sandstone. It is im- 

 patient of too much moisture when young ; indeed I have had 

 thousands germinated in the usual way, but I lost them after 

 they got the first leaf perfected." 



Where natural rockstones are difficult or expensive to 

 obtain, then these conglomerated bricks come in very well 

 as a substitute. Clay for brickmaking abounds much more 

 than stone : hence there is no difficulty in getting them. 

 Indeed they might be so burned and run together purposely 

 to form rockwork for a fernery or for alpine plants ; and in 

 that case might be formed into larger blocks than the usual 

 size when made for building purposes. 



By Division. Many species of Ferns send forth creeping 

 rhizomes or rootstocks ; such are easily increased by taking 

 off one or more of their offshoots. They may either be 

 planted in a bed by themselves, and shaded till they are 

 established, or, which is the better plan, be potted in suitable- 

 sized pots, placed in a cold frame, and kept close and shaded 

 for a week or two, and, when fully rooted, planted out in the 

 fernery where they are required to grow. Other kinds, that 

 do not have creeping roots; will, when of a considerable size, 

 produce small side shoots, which, as soon as they produce 

 roots, may be taken off with a sharp knife, potted, and treated 

 like those mentioned above= Some other species grow in a 

 compact form, of which the Parsley-leaved Fern and Wall 



