FERNS. 69 



GYJIXOGRA-M-MA. 



This genus includes the most beautiful of the " golden " 

 and "silver" ferns. They stand in the front rank of exhibi- 

 tion ferns, and no collection is complete without them. Some 

 of the best "golden" ferns are G. clirysopliylla and its 

 varieties, LaucJieana and Parsoiisil (crested) ; and of the 

 '• silver," G. peniviana argyrophylla, G. tartarea, and G. Wet- 

 tenhalliana (crested). They all belong to the stove section, 

 and require a strong moist heat for the development of 

 their fronds, ^^'ith good management they soon grow into 

 large specimens, and abundantly compensate for the attention 

 given them. They thrive best when potted in a compost of 

 sandy loam and peat, with some bits of charcoal. They should 

 be well supplied with water at the roots during the growing 

 season, and a little liquid manure once a week ; but all syring- 

 ing must be dispensed with, as it washes off the powdery 

 " gold " and " silver " from the fronds, and spoils the plant for 

 exhibition. 



LASTEEA. 



This is a ver}- extensive genus, containing many species and 

 varieties, which, with few exceptions, belong to temperate 

 climes, and thrive well in the greenhouse. Some of the best 

 for exhibition are L. an'sfata variecjata, L. elegans, L. lepida, 

 L. Riclianlsii midlifida, and L. tenerir.cndis cristata. These are 

 all of easy culture, and grow freely in equal parts of turfy 

 loam and peat, with a sprinkling of silver sand. 



LOMAEIA. 



A genus of useful ferns, containing several species of merit 

 as exhibition plants ; and although some of them inhabit the 

 warmest parts of both hemispheres, yet very few require stove- 

 heat. A few of the best are L. discolor, L. faleata, L. gihha, 

 and L. Patersonii elongata, all of which thrive well in the 

 greenhouse. They grow well in sandy loam and peat, and are 

 all the better to be started and grown for a time in a warm 

 moi.st atmosphere, taking care to gradually inure them to the 

 temperature of the greenhouse. 



