CEYPTOGAMIA IN CULTIVATION. 53 



Adiantum, and tropical ferns generally, would be killed if treated 

 in the same way. Species of TricJiomanes, Todea, and Hymeno- 

 pJiyllum require, in any ordinary house, a bell glass for extra pro- 

 tection, and should be placed in the darkest corner. 



Ferns which are reproduced most readily from spores are seldom 

 easily divided at the crown, while those with a creeping rhizome, 

 that may be quickly separated, are seldom abundantly produced 

 from spores. 



In raising ferns from spores, many ways are advocated ; doubt- 

 less all are good enough, the great requisites being warmth and 

 plenty of moisture ; it is well to have the earth upon which the 

 spores are sown made firm, and a few broken pieces of pots 

 crowded into it. Of course water should not be dashed upon the 

 place where planted, as the spores would be washed away. In 

 most fern houses the air is full of the spores ; we breathe them 

 without knowing it, and they will select a congenial spot, often 

 growing without troubling us to plant them. 



Very pretty effects are produced by growing ferns in cocoanut 

 shells, wire baskets, and hollow stumps. Some species of Adian- 

 tum^ BlecJinum, etc., form underground crowns, which will appear 

 whei'ever there is an opening in the side or bottom of the basket 

 in which they are grown, finally covering the whole with foliage. 



For the moss-lined wire basket, the Davallia is best. The 

 Platycerium (Stag-horn fern) will make a fine ornament for a 

 stump ; it requires but little earth, as it is almost epiphytic in 

 habit. 



In the Wardian case, the smaller growing species of ferns are 

 most desirable. The Selaginellas are invaluable here, as they 

 seem to prefer this confined life to the more exposed greenhouse ; 

 they like a soil suitable for most ferns, and owing to their habits 

 need but slight depth of earth. 



The subject of Ferneries might well occupy an entire morning 

 for its discussion. Suffice it to say, that the fatal mistakes made 

 in constructing a fernery for the parlor are, to have too much 

 wood work, and too large-growing plants for the height of the 

 glass. 



With the climbing and arborescent species, or with the natural 

 cultivation of ferns under glass, I have had no experience, but 

 trust we may hear from those who have. 



For out-door cultivation our native species are about all we can 



