1 1 4 Encyclopaedia of Gardening 



through below. The posts should be of oak, the lower part tarred, 

 and the upper part tarred or painted as taste dictates. See also 

 Hedges. 



Fennel. See Kitchen Garden Herbs. 



Ferns. Almost every lover of plants grows a few ferns, and a con- 

 siderable number specialise them. The latter class have their own 

 publications. The ordinary species have no particular interest for 

 them. On the other hand, the general amateur could not possibly 

 grow all the varieties, as in the case of some species they number 

 hundreds, but must content himself with a selection of the best kinds. 

 Most of the principal ferns are mentioned under their own names in 

 this work, but a few general observations may obviate repetition 

 with respect to certain cultural points. 



Propagation. The majority of ferns do not flower, and the 

 " seeds " must be looked for in the form of spores on 'the under 

 surface of the fronds, to which they adhere until they ripen. In 



PROPAGATING ASPLENIUMS BY THE PROPAGATING ASPLENIUMS BY THE 



PLANTLETS ON THE FRONDS. LEAF PLANTLETS. 



The dotted line shows the depth to i. Drainage. 2. Rough soil. 3. Fine soil, 



insert a plantlet detached from 4. Space for water. 5. Base of plantlet. 



Asplenium bulbiferum. 6. Young fronds starting. 7. Old frond 



on a growing plant pegged down. 



sowing, a fine surface of soil is prepared, and the fronds are either 

 laid on when the spores are mature, or held over the pot and rubbed 

 with the fingers to scatter the spores. The pots should be shaded. 

 A plate-like process the prothallium on which the male and female 

 organs develop, forms; from these the plants arise. They may be 

 pricked off, potted singly, and repotted as required, the same as 

 ordinary plants. Some kinds of ferns which form a spreading root- 

 stock the Maidenhair for example may be propagated by divi- 

 sion; the plants may be cut up when growth starts in spring. Some 

 ferns form plantlets on the fronds; the latter can be drawn down 

 to the surface of the soil in another pot, and there fixed in position 

 till the plantlets have rooted freely, when they may be severed. 



Soil. Fern growers no longer pot their plants almost entirely in 

 peat; it is recognised that loam contains more nutriment, and con- 

 sequently it is used much more largely for ferns than was formerly 

 the case. Half each of fibrous loam and peat, with a quarter of leaf 



