THE NURSERY LiST. !8y 



Fenzlia. See Gilia. 



Ferns. Filices. . 



Where division is possible, it is the easiest and most econ- 

 omical method of propagation, and should be practiced ju~t 

 before the plant starts into growth. The spores can be sown 

 in February and March, or earlier, under glass in a warm 

 propagating pit. Partly fill a suitable sized pot or pan with 

 coarse peat, giving plenty of drainage; make the surface 

 level, and on this place three-quarter inch cubes of well- 

 seasoned peat which is rather dry, watering the whole and 

 scattering on the spores evenly. Cover with a pane of glass, 

 and place in a partial shade. While the process which cor- 

 responds to germination is going on, great care must be given 

 to the water supply. This is sometimes done by placing the 

 pots or pans in a saucer, from which they can suck the water 

 up. Overhead watering may be used, and often is, but will 

 sometimes introduce worms and the like. 



The young plants should be pricked out when the true leaf 

 appears, and they are large enough to handle. The same 

 careful treatment should be continued until they are estab- 

 lished in pots. 



There is not much difficulty in getting the young plants, 

 if fresh spores are obtainable, but there is a good deal of 

 trouble in handling the seedlings, and establishing them in 

 their growing quarters. 



Most ferns are readily propagated by means of spores, as 

 directed above and on page 24. Some species rarely produce 

 spores in cultivation, however, and in other cases, as in some 

 treeferns, it is almost impossible to rear the young plants after 

 the spores have germinated. In all such cases, recourse must 

 be had to separation, division or layerage. There are some 

 species, as Asplenium bulbiferum, Cystopteris bulbifera and 

 others, which bear small bulblets or detachable buds on their 

 fronds. These buds often vegetate while still attached to the 

 frond. They may be removed either before or after show- 

 ing signs of vegetation, and set in pots in a close propagat- 

 ing frame, or under a bell-glass. Ferns which make broad 

 crowns may be divided, and this is the common mode with 

 many species. Some species produce creeping root-stocks, 

 which emit roots if pegged down into a pot of soil or on a block 

 of peat. Several plants can often be produced from such a 

 layer. All these operations are best performed in late win- 

 ter, before the new growth be^rs. The tree ferns are rarely 

 propagated to any extent in cultivation, but young plants are 

 imported from their native countries. 



