158 FERNS AND LYCOPODS. 



ones Darrowest. One of the uses to which this Fern may be put is in 

 training against damp walls or on the dead stems of Tree Ferns. It is 

 easiest propagated by taking pieces of the rhizomes with fronds attached 

 and pegging down in 4 or 5-inch pots of sandy soil. 



PTERIS There are many good decorative plants in this genus, all of 

 which are easy to propagate. Most of them may be grown in ordinary 

 greenhouse temperature. Of P. serrulata, much used in a small state, 

 there are numerous forms, some of which have beautifully crested fronds 

 and others variegated. 



P. cretica albo-Iineata is one of the finest of all variegated Ferns. The 

 barren fronds are nearest the base of the plant; they are shorter and 

 broader than the fertile ones. A broad band of creamy white occupies 

 the middle of each leaf division. This Fern comes true from the spores, 

 which vegetate in a very short time after sowing. 



P. quadriaurita, a variable species. The most useful form is known 

 as P. q. argyraea, having a white mark down the center of each frond 

 a very useful variety in a small state. It is raised from spores. 



Pteris tremula is best for using in pots not under 5-inch. It is one of 

 the quickest raised from spores. There are crested forms. The one 

 named P. t. Smithiana has been in the trade for several years. 



P. Wallichii and P. inequalifolia (the latter evidently related to P. 

 semipinnata) are coarse growing and easily multiplied by division. P. 

 hastata and P. macrophylla have very dark green fronds. Both are 

 very liable to insect attacks, unless grown cool. They are both useful in 

 2 and 3-inch pots. 



SELAQINELLA Although not related to Ferns, some of the species 

 have a striking resemblance to these plants. Their cultural require- 

 ments are almost similar. They do best in shade, and with a few excep- 

 tions they need a rather warm atmosphere, especially while making 

 their new growth. They may be propagated from spores, division of 

 the crowns, or from cuttings. Propagation by spores is seldom attempted, 

 as dividing the plants and rooting from cuttings will give an abun- 

 dant supply. 



S. Emmeliana, one of the best for supplying small plants for mixing 

 with Ferns, is increased by breaking up the mature fronds into small 

 pieces, and scattering these on the surface of a box or bed of sandy soil, 

 which should be kept moist and shaded from the sun. Every small 

 piece will make a plant. 



S. Kraussiana is a dense growing moss-like species, much used for 

 covering the soil in pots in which other plants are growing, in Fern 

 dishes, and for the borders of conservatory beds. S. K. aurea has yel- 

 low foliage. S. K. variegata is green and white. In propagating this 

 species and its forms it should not be broken up into little tufts and 

 potted, as is usually the case. Take single growths and put, say three 

 of them, in a 3-inch pot; in a short time they will develop enough growth 

 to cover the soil. 



