PROPAGATION, DEVELOPMENT, AND CULTURE. 27 



therefore, for all practical purposes, the nearer the situation 

 in which they are grown approaches the northern aspect, 

 the better. The plants must be kept cool in summer, by 

 shading, by sprinkling, by not quite closing the frame in 

 the day-time, and by removing all impediments to a free 

 circulation of air all night. 



Wardian cases for Ferns, in which they may be planted 

 out on rockwork, may be either of the size and nature of a 

 small detached greenhouse, or of those window or balcony 

 greenhouses made by enclosing within a projecting sash, a 

 greater or smaller area external to the window, or they may 

 be of smaller size and more finished workmanship, for the 

 interior of dwelling rooms, for stair-case landings, or any 

 other situations within- doors, where they can be moderately 

 lighted. 



As a general rule, Ferns under cultivation do not require 

 any manure. The most proper soil for them consists of the 

 native earths called peat or bog earth, and sandy loam, 

 mixed in about equal proportions, with a further admixture 

 equal to an eighth of the whole mass for the coarser sorts, 

 and of a fourth of the whole mass for the more delicate 

 sorts, of any clean sharp grit, which is used for the purpose 

 of preventing the too close adhesion and consolidation of 



