From this table it is apparent that full sun is not necessary for grow- 

 ing successful Boston ferns. In fact, a high per cent of those ferns kept 

 in sunny windows were not satisfactory, primarily because of injury due 

 to drying caused by excess sunlight. All plants that were grown on 

 tables away from windows were satisfactory, but none of them was ex- 

 cellent as they did not receive quite enough light. Generally speaking, 

 the Boston fern can be very successful in a north window, or in a win- 

 dow that would give very little sun. 



Watering 



These ferns thrive with adequate water, but are somewhat tolerant 

 to neglect and occasional drying. One plant that was left in an office for 

 17 months and grown on a table away from a window was in good con- 

 dition at the end of this period. Several times, during this long stay in 

 the office, this plant was subjected to rather severe drying. A lack of 

 water caused damage to four of the six unsatisfactory plants. With 

 three of these the lack of water was coupled with too much sunlight. 

 The 22 plants were watered in all possible manners, but the general 

 method used was soaking the plants thoroughly once they were dry and 

 waiting to water again until the soil began to show signs of drying. 



Fig. 12 — One of the more desirable varietbs cf Boston fern 



Containers 



Plants included in this study were grown in porous pots with many 

 of them set in jardinieres. A few larger plants growing in wooden tubs 

 performed very well. Jardinieres were useful for decoration and helped 

 to cut down the water requirement of the plants. When Boston ferns 

 are kept in jardinieres they should not be allowed to stand in water for 

 more than a few hours at a time, as rotting of the roots may result. 



Twenty -jour 



