Gardening for Amateurs 



215 



Something You May Not Know 



SOWING Fern Spores. Raising 

 young Ferns from spores is one of 

 the most interesting occupations of 

 the garden, for the seedlings do not appear 

 in the same manner as those of most 

 plants, but as green, moss-like patches. 

 In this condition fertilisation takes place, 

 and soon afterwards tiny fronds appear. 

 Vegetation takes place on a variety of 

 substances, providing they are constantly 

 moist, but gardeners usually prefer soil. 

 They first make sure that the soil contains 

 neither weed seeds nor insects' eggs by either 

 roasting or boiling it. Clean pots are then 

 taken and drained to one-third their depth 

 with clean crocks. Over the crocks a layer of 

 coarser soil is placed, to be covered by a 

 thin layer of finely-sifted soil, the surface 

 being from i- to f-inch below the rims of the 

 pots. The soil is made quite firm and level, 

 and sometimes a few pieces of clean crock are 

 sprinkled over the surface before the spores 

 are sown. The soil is then watered with 

 boiling water, and the spores subsequently 

 sown thinly over the surface. The pots are 

 placed in saucers of water in semi-shade, 

 each pot being covered by a sheet of glass, 

 and again by shading material if sun is likely 

 to reach them. All moisture is supplied 

 from the saucers, which are regularly supplied 

 with water. As soon as the young fronds 

 appear, the moss-like substance is pricked 

 off in small patches an inch or so apart, in 

 shallow pans or boxes, and from this stage 

 growth is rapid. 



Water Lilies in Tubs. People with 

 small gardens may grow a few of the choicer 

 Water-lilies quite successfully by sinking tubs 

 in the ground a few inches below the surface. 

 Such tubs are usually seen to the l.e-t 

 advantage uln-n >unk in ;v lawn, slightly 

 below the leval of the turf, with a channel 

 connecting the various tubs representing 

 the bed of a stream. The first thing to 

 ensure is the provision of an ample supply of 

 fresh water, and for this purpose a water 

 pipe and tap should be connected with tin- 

 tubs. Tubs 2 to 3 feet in diameter are the 

 most satisfactory size, and they should be 



about 2 feet in depth. Plant the Lilies 

 at the bottom in good loam, removing them 

 each year and replacing the mud with fresh 

 soil. If the leaves become too dense during 

 summer a few can be removed now and then. 

 When damp ground connects the tubs a 

 few marsh-loving plants may be grown. 



Sowing Old Seeds. It sometimes occurs 

 that amateurs j>o--ess seeds of various 

 plants in such a condition that their vitality 

 is doubtful. It often happens, however, 

 that, although the majority of the seeds are 

 dead or their vegetative powers doubtful, 

 a few still show signs of vitality, and it 

 becomes a question of li how may those 

 feeds be given the be.st chance of vegetating." 

 The three essentials to success with seed 

 raising are air, moisture, and some warmth, 

 therefore we have to consider how the exact 

 proportion of each may be best applied to 

 our doubtful seeds. As a rule it is best to 

 provide a fairly high temperature, with a 

 free circulation of air and a moist atmosphere. 

 But it is not advisable to sow the seeds in soil. 

 Rather make up a bed of coco- nut fibre and 

 sow the seeds thinly over the moist surface, 

 covering them with sheets of paper or canvas 

 removed an inch or two from the seeds, but 

 with no other covering. Any seeds which 

 show signs of mould must be removed at 

 once, but any which show signs of germina- 

 tion must be watched closely, and when 

 roots and shoots are nicely started they may 

 be lifted carefully and potted. Large seeds 

 may be covered slightly when germination 

 commences. 



Taking Care of Nets. The complaint 

 is often heard that the fish nets used for 

 protecting fruit of various kinds during the 

 summer do not last many season-. Tin's is 

 scarcely to be wondered at considering the 

 treatment they receive. The common prac- 

 tice after the fruit has been u>ed is to leave 

 the nets as they are until a more convenient 

 times comes for removing them. The 

 " life " of such nets could often be doubled 

 were they removed immediately they have 

 served their purpose and put away quite 

 dry. 



