262 GARDENING FOR BEGINNERS 



sand passed through a sieve with a quarter of an inch mesh, 

 and pressed down moderately firm and smooth. As a moss- 

 like growth frequently makes its appearance on the surface 

 of the soil and chokes the spores as they commence to grow, 

 if possible bake the soil before it is used, and thus destroy 

 all germs of vegetable life. Having thus prepared the pots 

 water them thoroughly through a fine rose, and while the 

 surface is still wet sprinkle on the spores as thinly as pos- 

 sible. Then cover with a pane of glass, and stand each pot 

 in a shallow pan of water, which will serve to keep the soil 

 moist without overhead watering, as, however carefully done, 

 this is apt to wash the spores away. In time (a few weeks in 

 many cases) a dense moss-like growth will overspread the 

 soil. This usually consists of growing spores packed closely 

 together, too closely in fact to allow of their development. 

 They must then be pricked off, and this is carried out by 

 preparing some pots as for sowing the spores, except that the 

 soil must be very lightly pressed down. Then with a pointed 

 stick pick up a tiny tuft of the growing spores, place it on the 

 surface of the soil, and press into position gently with the 

 finger. Water through a fine rose, keep in a humid atmosphere, 

 and give careful attention to shading, &c. ; they will continue 

 to grow, and in time push up fronds. When large enough they 

 must be potted off singly into small pots. February and 

 March are the best months for sowing the spores, as there is 

 a long growing season before winter. Although the raising 

 of Fern spores is extremely interesting, and large quantities 

 are obtained in this way in nurseries, it is a method that can 

 scarcely be recommended to quite a beginner, as a consider- 

 able amount of care and knowledge is necessary to bring it to a 

 successful issue. Still, in a Fern house where the atmosphere 

 is always kept moist, naturally sown plants will spring up in 

 all directions, the Maidenhair and some kinds of Pteris being 

 as a rule conspicuous. 



Propagation by Diuision. The second method of propagat- 

 ing Ferns is by division, and is best carried out in the spring. 

 All Ferns that produce several crowns can be propagated in 

 this way, and, as a rule, division should be practised with a 

 large knife, as any attempt to disentangle a crowded mass of 

 roots is likely to result in greater injury than a clean cut. After 

 potting keep the divided plants rather closer if possible, and 

 additionally shade until the young roots are active in the new 

 soil. 



Soil. With regard to the soil most suitable for Ferns it 

 was at one time considered absolutely necessary that the 

 larger portion of it must be peat, but these ideas have been 



