NotTes and NEws 21 
Spring will be with us and the fern fiddleheads peep- 
ing through the soil along with the quarterly delivery 
of the ‘American Fern Journal’ for 1918, and some 
may be unable to find suitable conditions in the home 
garden to satisfy the water-loving ferns, such as Osmunda 
regalis, O. cinnamomea, Aspidium thelypteris, and pos- 
sibly a few others, to give them regularly the moisture 
to which they have been accustomed under normal 
conditions, 
Sink in the garden in a suitable place a deep crockery 
Pan or crock allowing the edge to come within two 
Inches of the soil level; line the bottom with brick or 
crock pieces for drainage, upon which spread a good 
thick layer of turfy peat; set your fern upon this founda- 
tion and fill to ground level with swamp earth or boggy 
mould such as these ferns grew in. 
This treatment allows the plant to absorb gradually 
and steadily all the moisture from each rainfall and 
the Same conditions prevail when hand or hose watering 
found necessary during dry spells. 
Por the trouble incurred you will be amply repaid 
with thor oughly thrifty and healthy plants. If success 
hag hot crowned your former efforts try this plan, and 
“njoy in your home fern garden the regal beauty of 
the Osmunda family, and any fern that likes a similar 
habitat, 
f These delightful fronds are lacking in too many 
“mneries, simply because their treatment in the new 
“vironment has been inadequate to guarantee satis- 
‘Actory results. 
W. R. McCout 
uM napa Y we like to be asked questions and will try to ie 
eS cColl’s. The best way to press ferns, or any other p f it 
oe Be Lape, Sheets of unglazed paper, between driers of heavy pe 
4 et. The folded sheets permit the specimen to be led W. bs 
hanging driers Without disturbing its position; and felt paper 
