PKOPAGATIO^^, DEVELOPMENT, AND CULTURE. SI 



or any other situations witliin doors where they can be 

 moderately lighted. 



As a general rule, Ferns under cultivation do not require 

 any manure. The most proper soil for Ferns grown in 

 pots or cases, consists of the native earths called peat or 

 bog earth, and sandy loam, mixed in about equal propor- 

 tions, with a further admixture equal to an eighth of the 

 whole mass for the coarser sorts, and of a fourth of the 

 whole mass for the more delicate sorts, of any pure granu- 

 lated silicious matter, whicli is used for the purpose of 

 preventing the too close adhesion and consolidation of the 

 particles ; the clean white sand called E.eigate sand is 

 that most generally employed. They are not benefited by 

 manure. 



The supply of water to Ferns under artificial conditions 

 is a very essential matter ; they must never lack moisture, 

 or their frao-ile texture shrinks as before a burning blast ; 

 nor, with few exceptions, must the soil about them be kept 

 continually wet with stagnant water ; indeed, stagnant 

 water is in all cases much better avoided. 



