162 



WITHERING S FERN. 



to the well-being of the plant, that it should be well supplied 

 with water. In potting, great care should be taken that the 

 pot be sufficiently large, and the compost sufficiently peaty. I 

 believe it difficult to keep it too wet, nor is it important that 

 the drainage be good. I cannot recommend this as an orna- 

 mental fern : it is easily broken by the wind, or other casual- 

 ties, and very early in the summer assumes a shabby and 

 battered appearance ; still, the pteridologist should keep it 

 with as much care as the most beautiful, as he wiU assm-edly 

 hear its claims to specific dignity earnestly if not warmly 

 discussed. 



