80 FERNS. 



with his principal specimens in the tree-fern class. Among 

 the finest for exhibition is the handsome and -well-known 

 favourite D. antardica, which is oftener seen in good form at 

 horticultural shows than any other tree-fern ; D. Berteroana, 

 an elegant and rather rare species from the Island of Juan 

 Fernandez; D. regalis (Cibotium regale), a graceful species 

 from Mexico ; and Z). squarrosa from New Zealand, one of the 

 most esteemed of all for exhibition when in first-rate condition. 

 All the species mentioned thrive well in a cool greenhouse, but 

 make the finest heads of fronds when they receive the assist- 

 ance of a little extra heat and abundance of moisture while 

 growing. A copious supply of soft water, of the same tempe- 

 rature as the air of the house, should be daily poured over 

 their crowns from the time the fronds begin to shoot up till 

 they are fu.lly expanded. Like all tree-ferns, Dicksonias should 

 not be over-potted, and may remain in the same pot for years 

 if they are regularly attended to otherwise and the stems kept 

 moist in the growing season. After the fronds have attained 

 their full size, they i-emain longest fresh and green in a mode- 

 i-ately dry and cool atmosphere shaded from bright sunshine. 

 Light fibry loam and peat, with plenty of nodules of sand- 

 stone and charcoal, firmly pressed into the pot or tub, grows 

 them to perfection. 



LOMAEIA. 



Several species of this useful genus of ferns assume an 

 arborescent habit with age, but few of them ever attain suffi- 

 cient stature to entitle them to be exhibited as tree-ferns. 

 L. discolor, L. giUba, L. Magellanica, and L. zamicefolia are 

 the best of the erect-stemmed species ; and when they reach 

 three feet or more of a clear stem, surmounted by a well- 

 balanced head of their graceful fronds, they are really beau- 

 tiful objects, and of much service to the decorator as well as 

 to the exhibitor. They thrive best in a temperate house, and 

 when intended for tree-ferns they should be grown in as small 

 pots as possible, filled with the usual fern-growing soil, — light 

 fibry loam, peat, and sand ; kept shaded while growing, and 

 receive abundance of water, especially overhead, till the fronds 

 have reached their full size. 



