CULTIVATION. 311 



which being considerably greater than the depth, 

 gives a good extent of surface, and renders a deep 

 drainage unnecessary. Such a kind of pot, of course, 

 is most suitable for all species of decumbent or 

 creeping habit, and those producing rapidly a great 

 number of offsets. 



The best time for repotting (or shifting, as it is 

 termed) Ferns, more especially those of the terrestrial 

 division, is at the end of February, or during March, 

 as soon after that time they commence growth j, but 

 any time of the year, except winter, will suit them. 

 The operation of potting is a matter of little difficulty, 

 nor are the necessary utensils or materials very varied 

 a firm potting-bench, several different sizes broad- 

 pointed firming-sticks, and a garden trowel. It is 

 also necessary to have a few extra pots of different sizes, 

 of both the deep upright and shallow flat kinds, also 

 a quantity of material for drainage, which may consist 

 of broken soft brick or hard knobs of old mortar ; but 

 for general purposes, potsherds, broken into different 

 sizes, are most commonly used, and well known by 

 the name of " crocks." The removal of the plant, 

 with its ball of soil and roots,, is readily effected by 

 spreading the left hand over the surface of the soil, 

 allowing the plant, when not too large, to come 

 between the fingers ; then, by inverting the plant and 

 pot, and giving the rim of the pot a gentle but sharp 

 tap with the right hand on the edge of the board ; if 

 the roots are in a healthy state, the ball will slip 

 easily out of the pot. In all cases, a thorough drainage 

 is indispensable, and to ensure this, the draining 

 material should be of two sizes, the larger size 

 at the bottom, with a concave large crock over 



