FEEXS. 7 / 



but require many years to make a large specimen. Some 

 of the best are T. Fraseri, T. jiellucida, T. phniw<a, and 2\ 

 superba. Tliey develop much larger fronds when placed in a 

 mild heat during the growing season, when the conditions as 

 to moisture and shade are maintained. 



TKICHOiU-XES. 



A highly interesting genus of filmy ferns, including a 

 large number of beautifvil species with clear membranous 

 fronds, varying in length from an inch to about a foot. The 

 great majority of them are natives of tropical countries, but 

 one lovely species, the well-known Killarney Fern, T. radican-->, 

 is a native of Britain. They are rather easier to cultivate 

 than the other two genera, but they thiive well under the 

 same general treatment. Trichomanes gi'ow best in shallow 

 pans, with the compost raised well above the rim. A little 

 turfy loam and plenty of lumps of sandstone added to the 

 compost is beneficial. Beside T. radicaiu, T. awjusiatum, 

 T. maximum, T. renifonne, T. rtgidum, and T. venosmn are all 

 useful and interesting plants for exhibition. 



4. TREE FEEXS. 



These are a t^tately and attractive class of plants in an 

 exhibition, and are frequently employed, along with palms of 

 some height, to break up the smooth formality of the arrange- 

 ment of other exhibits of lower stature, and as a set- off to 

 the brilliant colours of flowering plants, with a very pleasing 

 effect. Tree-ferns require to be grown in rather lofty houses, 

 where they have ample room to develop to the fullest extent 

 their large and graceful fronds. To assist them in the pro- 

 duction of fronds of the largest size and most graceful form, 

 it is a good practice to cover the stem with a thin layer of 

 sphagnum, kept in its place by fine string of the same colour. 

 The sphagnum .should be af>plied in spring before growth com- 

 mences, and it should be kept saturated by daily pouring a 

 copious supply of water on to the top of it at the base of the 

 fronds, and plying the syringe freely over it several times a 



