386 PLANT CULTURE 



ready means of propagation. Polyslichum angulare, Asplenium 

 bulbiferum and Woodwardia radicans are good examples. There 

 are also several other well known Ferns which possess this pecuh- 

 arity. To increase Ferns by this means sink the pots up to their 

 rims in a suitable mixture of soil to enable the fronds which are 

 provided with bulbils to be easily pegged down, so that plantlets 

 may be encouraged to develop roots quickly. When they have made 

 a sufficient quantity to enable them to become self supporting they 

 may be separated from the frond and potted separately into 2! 2-inch 

 pots, or, if too small for pots, they may be pricked o£f into boxes or 

 pans. 



Insect Enemies. If the plants are not subjected to adverse 

 conditions, such as too high a temperature, or insufficient moisture 

 in the air or at the roots, they will seldom be attacked by insects. 

 The mealy bug, thrips and brown scale are sometimes trouble- 

 some. Scale is not easy to remove, and the only efficacious method 

 is to use a sponge and water. For the other insects fumigation or 

 vaporizing may be resorted to, or, if only a few plants are affected, 

 they may be laid on their sides and the insects removed by using 

 the hose. Slugs are the greatest enemies of the Ferns, and a close 

 watch should be kept for them. Various methods are employed 

 to capture them, such as a board smeared on the under side with 

 lard, cabbage leaves, and sliced turnips, or potatoes laid among the 

 plants; or by using camphor among the pots, and air slacked lime 

 on and under the benches. If the slugs are numerous, hand picking 

 should first be resorted to. They feed at night and rest during the 

 day. They will usually be found in the angular space beneath the 

 rims of the pots. 



Hardy Ferns 



Northern exposures and moist places always suggest ferns. 

 They are usually somewhat fragile and must be protected from 

 high winds. They usually need an abundance of water, but prefer 

 good drainage. Furthermore, they should be planted where water 

 will not continually drip upon them. They are especially successful 

 under trees where they take care of themselves nicely. They should 

 be transplanted in early Spring or Fall — those in exposed places 

 better in Spring. They may be planted in clumps of all of one 

 species or they may be mixed. Among rocks, on a slope, is a very 

 good place for them. They vary in height from 4 inches to 4 feet. 

 Ferns possess creeping underground stems; some are deep, others 



