Transactions of the Prussian Gardening Society, 45 1 



with a piece of glass. In this way they grew tolerably well; 

 but M. Seitz soon found that this method was attended by 

 many disadvantages, to which very small seeds, and parti- 

 cularly those of ferns, are subject. He therefore procured a 

 porous kind of stone, called tophus, which he divided into 

 flat pieces of from 3 to 4 in. in diameter, and 2 to 3 in. in 

 height ; after being cleaned and washed, these pieces were 

 covered with well-sifted soil, which was partly squeezed into 

 the pores of the stone, to the thickness of two or three lines. 

 The seeds were then sown on the surface, and the stone 

 slightly immersed in a basin of water, when moisture was 

 required. They were kept in a stove on a tan-pit, and glass 

 put over them. In the mornings and evenings the sun was 

 allowed to act upon them ; but during the rest of the day they 

 were well shaded. Regular temperature, and a moist atmo- 

 sphere, were given, and the glasses were taken away during 

 the night. This mode of treatment succeeded so well, that 

 in about twelve days the germination was visible ; and after 

 a month's time the young plants were fit for transplanting 

 into small pots. By this method the growth of the plants 

 was not interrupted by worms, different mosses, or any of the 

 other evils which generally occur when ferns are sown in the 

 first-mentioned way ; but the regular application of moisture, 

 and the even temperature to which the stone was subjected, 

 occasioned a vigorous growth. The best time for sowing 

 ferns is from February to May ; but they are not propagated 

 by seeds alone, and many species may be increased by sepa- 

 rating the fronds : a few may also be increased from knots, 

 which detach themselves from the mother plant, and soon 

 strike root. [We may mention Woodwardza radicans Swz., 

 and Aspidium bulbiferum Swz., as increasing by these frond- 

 borne deciduous buds. — J. D.~] The soil which M. Seitz uses 

 to grow his ferns is heath or leaf mould, mixed with sand ; and 

 for hardy plants he approves of adding one fifth part loam. 

 He plants some in the hollow stems of oaks, birches, and 

 lime trees, which he considers not only proper to their na- 

 ture, but also to present a true picture of the tropical world 

 of plants. The situation for these ferns in the open air 

 should be shaded, like that in the houses ; and, if possible, 

 be near the water, where they may be syringed during dry 

 weather. 



44. On the Construction of the Aquarium in the Botanic Garden at 

 Munich. By M; Seitz. [See Hort. Trans., vol. iv. p. 395., and 

 Encyc. of Gard.] 



G g 2 



