CHAP. V. ORNAMENTAL TREES, SHRUBS, ETC. 329 



is unquestionably to sacrifice in a great measure the object for 

 which they are grown. 



The soil in which, according to my experience, Ferns thrive 

 best is a mixture of Cocoa-nut fibre and leaf-mould with sand. 

 Mr. John Scott recommends a compost, one-half pieces of 

 charcoal of about the size of a bean, and equal parts of vege- 

 table mould, sand, and potsherds, and that repotting should be 

 done in the Cold season. 



They are usually grown in pots. Place three or four large 

 pieces of brick at the bottom of the pot, so as to fill it more 

 than a third way up. Upon these lay the Cocoa-nut fibre, 

 scattering it over with leaf-mould as the pot is gradually filled 

 to the top. The Fern may then be planted, and a few large 

 pieces of brick should be laid on the surface of the soil to keep 

 it fixed and steady. With few exceptions they may be multi- 

 plied easily by division. 



Ferns may also be raised from seed. The plan perhaps best 

 to be pursued is to fill a shallow pot with the materials and in 

 the manner just described, finishing with a smooth layer of 

 sandy leaf-mould within an inch of the top. Lower the pot 

 into water to the rim, till the water, rising through the hole at 

 the bottom of the pot, soaks the whole of the contents. Then 

 take it out, scatter the spores lightly over the surface, and cover 

 with a piece of glass. When the soil appears to be getting dry 

 dip the pot again into water as before. 



Since the former edition of this work was issued several 

 hundred species of Ferns have been introduced into the Calcutta 

 Botanical Gardens, a full account of which, as well as of their 

 mode of cultivation, has been given in a contribution to the 

 * Journal of the Agri-Horticultural Society/ by the curator, 

 Mr. John Scott. To this those who desire to grow Ferns as 

 .a speciality would do well to refer. All I can attempt in a 

 limited work of this kind is simply to give little more than an 

 enumeration of such as have come under my notice as being, 

 from their dwarfness and elegance, best suited for ornamental 

 purposes. Several of these are already in cultivation in this 

 country, and there are few, no doubt, but what might be. 



Hemionitis : Drymoglossum. 

 H. cordata and D. piloselloides, natives of Bengal, are curious 



