STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. gl 



NOTES ON FERNS AND FLOWERS. 

 By James Vickery, Florist, Portland. 



Ferns and Ferneries. Most of the ferns under culti- 

 vation are natives of warm countries, hence they require 

 heat, proper drainage and suitable soil. The soil in which 

 they do the best is leaf-mold composted with about one- 

 fourth part fine sand. But the principal thing is to give 

 them good drainage, whether in pots or in the fernery. In 

 planting ferns in pots, put a piece of a broken pot in the 

 bottom over the hole, and over this put some coarse materials, 

 ( sif tings ) before putting in the soil, and that will make a 

 good drainage. Be sure to leave space on the top of the 

 soil in the pot to hold water sufiicient to wet the soil 

 through. The heat they require is from 60 to 70 degrees, 

 but some of them require fully 70 degrees. They should be 

 kept from strong sun, but want plenty of light. 



A great mistake is made in planting ferneries. Generally 

 the pan is not deep enough to give a good drainage. The 

 pan to grow good sized ferns should be from eight to ten 

 inches deep. Put in the same soil as directed above. For 

 drainage, cover the bottom with pieces of broken pots, and 

 then a little charcoal, if convenient, but be sure and put in 

 the siftings before the soil is put in, to secure a good drain- 

 age. When a fernery is first planted it should have a 

 thorough watering to wet it through. They do not require 

 watering often, because they cannot get dry the same as 

 those in pots, for water cannot evaporate so fast. JSIany 

 people think that a fernery should be air-tight, but this is a 

 mistake ; they do not require it. 



Where do the ferns come from? They come from the 

 wild forest, where all plants are collected from, where they 

 all get a plenty of air, but are found in shady situations. 

 As I said before, they do not like the bright sun in summer 

 time, but in winter when the sunshine is weak it does not 

 hurt them. Ferns like moisture and heat. Keeping a 

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