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sufficiently forward state, be cut off and 

 potted at once. Examples of this kind 

 of bud may be observed in Pte'ris palma'ta, 

 P. fffu'sa, Dare' a rhizophy'llum, and Wvod- 

 wa'rdia ra'dicans. 



By Seed. Several of the finest Ferns 

 cannot be increased by division, or, if they 

 can, several years elapse. If right means 

 are followed, they may be raised by seed. 

 This requires a constantly humid, warm 

 atmosphere, and little, if any, sunshine. 

 Procure a wide earthen pan, a hand or 

 bell-glass that will go within it, and rest 

 on the bottom, and a shallow, wide pot 

 that will stand the within the glass and 

 above the rim of the pan two or three 

 inches. Fill this pot half full of potsherds, 

 and upon them a sufficient number of 

 small pieces of turfy peat, mixed with 

 small pieces of sand stone, about the size 

 of peas, to come up to the pot. Then 

 take the frond of any Fern that is full of 

 spores or seeds, and, with the hand, brush 

 them off upon the prepared pot, set it in 

 the pan, place the glass over the pot, and 

 fill the pan nearly with water. Place the 

 whole in the warmest part of the stove, 

 shading it from the sun. The small 

 pieces of turf and stone can be easily 

 separated, and the seedlings on each put 

 into small pots, without any danger of 

 destroying them by the process of potting. 

 In the moist atmosphere of the orchid- 

 house, several species of Fern will come 

 up spontaneously in the pots, baskets, 

 and upon the blocks. These may be care- 

 fully detached as soon as they are large 

 enough, and potted in small pots, placed 

 for a time in a shady situation, and they 

 will soon make nice, bushy plants. 



Soil. Ferns require a light, open soil. 

 A compost of sandy, fibrous peat two 

 parts, turfy loam one part, and leaf- 

 mould one part, with a free admixture of 

 band, will suit them well. 



Summer Culture. Temperature, 65 

 minimum, 75 maximum by day, and 

 KO by night. 



^ Time of Potting. Early in March, 

 drain well, and give a moderate shift. 

 Small plants may be potted twice, the 

 second time the first week in July. 



Watering. Ferns are like Heaths, if 

 they once get thoroughly dry they will 

 perish, therefore keep them constantly 

 well watered, more especially when the 

 pots are full of roots. Should they by 

 any chance appear to be suffering severely 

 from drought, take such and let them 



stand in a vessel of water, that will cover 

 the top of the pot, for an hour or two. 

 This will thoroughly wet every part of the 

 ball, and often recover the plant. If 

 such a convenience is at hand, the 

 smaller Ferns, like other stove plants, 

 will be greatly benefited by a few weeks' 

 sojourn in the middle of summer in a 

 deep, cold pit. Here they should be well 

 supplied with water, and nearly every 

 afternoon, about three o'clock, have a 

 gentle syringing, shutting them up close 

 afterwards. As soon as the nights begin 

 to be cold in September, remove them 

 back again into the stove, and give them 

 an extra supply of water for a short time, 

 till they become used to the drier atmo- 

 sphere. 



Winter Culture. Temperature, 60 

 maximum, and 55 minimum by day ; 52 

 by night. During this season, rather 

 less water will be required. Eemove all 

 decaying fronds, and give them a top- 

 dressing in December. This will carry 

 them through till the potting season 

 arrives in March. 



Insects. The green fly and thrip will 

 frequently appear on them. Smoking 

 with tobacco will destroy them both. 



GREENHOUSE PERNS. 



Propagation. The same methods of 

 increase suit the greenhouse varieties, 

 and also the same compost. The only 

 difference is in the temperature. In 

 summer they may be set out of doors 

 with the rest of the greenhouse inhabit- 

 ants, and brought into it as soon as 

 there is any danger of frost. The great 

 advantage of growing Ferns in a green- 

 house is, that they fill up many a corner 

 where nothing else will grow. 



HARDY FERNS. 



Propagation : by Division. All that 

 produce side-shoots may be increased by 

 division. If they are planted out in a 

 bed, or on rock-work, they should be 

 taken up and divided into pieces, with a 

 portion of earth to each. They may be 

 replanted; but a better plan is to pot 

 them, and place them in a cold frame, 

 kept close, and shaded till they make 

 fresh roots and fronds. Scarce kinds 

 may be increased by seed. Even the 

 the rare Woo'dsia ilve'nsis has been in- 

 creased by seed. Something of the same 

 method as that described for stove Ferns 

 must be adopted for hardy ones. If some 

 small sand-stones be placed in a dump, 



