FERNS 29 



do quickly, otherwise they become unprofitable. Their cultiva- 

 tion on a large scale is a work for the specialist, and there are 

 several establishments within a certain area of London devoted 

 entirely to them. The varieties mostly in vogue are Adiantums, 

 Cyrtoniums, Nephrolepis, and Pteris in variety. These are all 

 raised from spores, or seeds, and require no elaborate or ambitious 

 structures to grow in, thriving rather in low, warm, and half- 

 shaded houses where warmth and moisture are provided ; 

 indeed, we have seen them flourishing like weeds in broken-down 

 and dilapidated structures where it was no pleasure to view them. 



But while Ferns are so complaisant as to certain conditions, 

 they do, we maintain, demand cleanliness, and this is not always 

 so easy to ensure them where a dense humidity exists night and 

 day. Yet it can be and is amply secured in those large London 

 nurseries where fern culture is so highly specialised. 



Fern spores are very minute finer than dust and must be 

 sown without covering on a level surface. They are so sown by 

 Nature, and in the semi-darkness caused by the thick frondage 

 they germinate readily. We try to reproduce those conditions 

 by sowing and watering and shading and heating, and these, 

 if efficiently provided, will encourage a good germination and 

 eventually a healthy generation. 



Like unto other seedlings, the baby ferns require pricking off 

 very early, so that each and every plant may healthily build up 

 its own constitution. When this is first done, it is well to keep 

 them in their moist, warm quarters until they are good enough 

 to pot singly, and even then these same conditions can with 

 advantage be continued. 



Many thousands of baby ferns pass through our markets 

 annually, in 72*5 and 6o's, but the ideal market fern is a well- 

 developed plant established in a 48, with healthy deep-green 

 fronds. Such ferns are grown on the stages of low-built houses 

 by highly specialised labour, though there is no secret in their 

 cultivation and practically little difficulty where whole houses 

 are devoted to them. The compost used is very similar to that 

 of the Devon and Dorset lanes and banks where ferns abound, 

 a sandy loam with old leaf soil. 



The fern-grower is always careful to leave nothing to chance 



