394 BKISTLE FERN. 



and moss. The plants were kept cool, and were well moistened 

 daily, and I have now (Oct. 24, 18-i;^) a splendid display, the 

 entire case being filled witli fronds of large and strong growth. 

 No other fern will thrive well in the case with the Trichomanes, 

 the treatment required to cause the Trichomanes to flourish 

 being destructive to the other. The Trichomanes will lire or 

 even gi-ow lazily in a glass with other ferns, but will never at- 

 tain a vigorous state of growth. The cultivators of Trichoma- 

 nes are under a mistake in supposing that the plant was in a 

 fine state of fructification, merely because the involucra had 

 been produced. I have never seen the sette perfectly exserted 

 in cultivation, and the capsules attached in a ripening state. 

 It was late in September when I discovered the Glouin Caragh 

 plant, and I collected a quantity of the capsules, but I could 

 not detect the sporidia thrown out by the bursting of the ring 

 of the capsules." 



The main object to be achieved in the cultivation of this 

 beautiful fern, is an atmosphere loaded with moisture. In the 

 drier counties of England, this can only be maintained by a 

 constant covering of glass. Several plans have been tried for 

 accomplishing this. I will describe two, which I would wish 

 particularly to recommend. 



No. 1. — A small greenhouse, with brick walls, North aspect, 

 corrugated glass, and the sun's rays totally excluded. Arrange 

 upright strips, about an inch thick, of stone, slate, or zinc, 

 against the bricks : on these strips fasten galvanized zinc wire 

 netting : there will be a space between the netting and the 

 bricks about an inch deep ; fill this very carefully with Sphag- 

 num thoroughly saturated with water, and on the face of the 

 Sphagnum arrange the rhizomes of the Trichomanes, which 

 will be held in their places by the elasticity of the Sphagnum 

 and the pressure of the netting. If the brick wall be built for 

 the purpose, the taste of the builder will suggest various im- 

 provements on a plain surface. Mr. AUis, of York, has the 

 upright strips of wood, and has been very successful ; but I do 

 not like wood so well as any material that is not liable to decay, 

 rust, or harbour insects. 



No. 2. — Procure a very large earthen pan, glazed within ; fill 

 this with water, and in the water arrange shells, crystals of 

 quartz, aquatic Ranunculi, aquatic moss, Charas, &c., so as to 



