Encyclopaedia of Gardening 1 1 5 



mould or decayed manure, a heavy dash of sand to insure porosity, 

 and a few bits of charcoal over the drainage, will suit the majority 

 of ferns admirably. 



Shade. Another old idea has been modified. Speaking generally, 

 ferns are certainly shade lovers; but it is found that hardy kinds 

 may be grown in sunny parts of the garden if they have adequate 

 root moisture. Under glass they are liable to suffer from the aridity 

 of an unshaded house unless the grower is at hand to ply his syringe 

 in the hottest part of the day. 



Repotting. It is wise to turn ferns out of their pots every spring, 

 if only to rearrange the drainage, but it will be found wise to go 

 farther, as a rule, and remove the old soil from the side and base of 

 the ball without disentangling the roots, afterwards replacing in 

 the pot and ramming in fresh soil. 



Ferns in rooms. As a rule ferns soon fail in rooms, because the 

 air is too dry; but with care and judgment they may be kept 

 healthy a long time. The principal point is watering. If the soil 

 goes dry for some time the plants are sure to suffer; on the other 

 hand, a sodden state is bad. The only way of keeping things right 

 is to test the pots every day in summer (see Watering) and be guided 

 by the sound. In winter water may not be wanted more than once 

 a week. Another important matter is to insure ventilation without 

 cold draughts. An open window and a closed door generally 

 permit of the happy medium being struck ; with both open together 

 the plants may be injured. 



Ferns in baskets. Some ferns look their best in baskets. Wire 

 receptacles may be used. They should be lined with moss to keep 

 the soil in, and a compost similar to that for pots used. In summer 

 the baskets may be dipped daily in a tub of water. 



Indoor ferneries. In large places it may be possible to devote a 

 house to ferns, and if so it should be done thoroughly, covering 

 the walls, providing rocks and water and shading the roof. A 

 simple way of covering the walls is to fix wire frames a few inches 

 from the wall, pack with compost, and plant. The ferns should not 

 be grown in pots, but planted among blocks of tufa. 



Outdoor ferneries. A fernery is a good adjunct to a rock garden, 

 and stones should be used in preference to tree roots, which rot down 

 quickly. The situation should not be heavily shaded. Christmas 

 Roses and various hardy bulbs may be planted between the ferns 

 to flower in winter and spring. 



Filmy ferns. The Todeas, Hymenophyllums, and Trichomanes 

 should be kept separate in a case or cave where the shade is dense 

 and the atmosphere saturated. 



Fern phrases. Ferns are cryptogams (which see). The creeping 

 stems of some species are called rhizomes. The leaves are called 

 fronds, and the stalks stipes. The first divisions of divided forms 

 are called pinnae, and the subdivisions pinnules. The seeds are 

 called spores, and the case covering the latter is the indusium. The 

 clusters of sporangia are called sori. The female organs are called 

 archegonia, and the male antheridia. Both form on the membranous 

 plate (prothallium) , which is the first growth from the spore. 



