82 FERNS. 



carpet-like kinds should be grown nearly flat, with a sliglit 

 rise to the centre. This is accomplished by stretching rings 

 of wire around the outside of the pan, placing over them a 

 piece of wire-netting, covering it with moss, on which the 

 soil is laid, and the broken-up pieces of the plant with roots 

 thickly planted all over it. The straggling growers should be 

 trained as pyramids, or in the form of an obtuse cone. This 

 is done by widening the base, as already described. A light 

 hollow-framed cone may be placed in the centre, to reduce the 

 dead weight of the specimen and the quantity of material 

 required. Then begin at the bottom and build up around the 

 cone layer upon la3'er of light turfy peat or loam, or pieces 

 of both, laid fiat and with a regular outward surface, intro- 

 ducing at short intervals a little fine soil with rooted pieces 

 of the plant until the apex is reached. A well-grown specimen 

 of this description, about four feet high, is a great attraction 

 at an exhibition. 



JUDGING. 



All ferns should be of graceful habit and pleasing outline, 

 and be set up for competition in a tasteful manner, so as to 

 show the merits of every specimen to the best advantage. 



The general points of merit in ferns are : (1.) Fronds well 

 developed, and perfect in every part ; (2.) graceful or stately 

 in habit ; and (3.) the colour of the fronds fresh and bright. 



Selaginellas should be (1.) well grown, fresh, and of good 

 colour, without speck or blemish; (2.) the free-growing kinds 

 graceful and well balanced ; and (3.) the "carpet" varieties, 

 with a short, close, even pile. 



Tree-ferns should not be admitted for competition in that 

 class with less than three feet of a clear stem, measured from 

 the surface of the soil to the base of the crown of fronds. 

 The points of merit are : (1.) Round shapely stem, at least three 

 feet in length ; (2.) a well-developed graceful head of fronds, 

 without blemish; and (3.) fresh and clear in the colour. All 

 points being equal, the taller the stem, with a proportionate 

 girth, the better the specimen. 



