396 PLANT CULTURE 



plants; for this purpose the plants are set into greenhouse benches 

 so that the runners have an opportunity to root. 



ONYCHIUM. Of this genus two species are commonly grown 

 for decorative purposes; the fronds are very much divided. O. 

 auralum is the largest, but 0. japonicum is the handsomest. 



Propagation. Both are easily increased from spores; or the 

 old plants may be divided, but only to make large specimens. 



PLATYCERIUM (Stag Horn Fern). From their wonderful 

 resemblance to the antlers of a stag well grown plants of the Platy- 

 ceriums never fail to attract attention. The species called P. 

 grande is the most striking of the number. A native of the northern 

 part of Australia it needs more heat than most of the others. In 

 P. angohnse, the fronds are not divided like a stag horn. P. Wal- 

 lichii, P. CBthiopicum (catalogued as P. Stemmaria) , P. Hillii, and 

 P. alcicorne are also frequently seen. 



Culture. While they succeed pretty well in pots they do better 

 and look more natural when grown on blocks of wood. Some forked 

 hmbs of trees should be cut up on which to fasten the plants. The 

 pieces should be in the neighborhood of i8 inches in length. Drive 

 in a few nails here and there; place some rough peat and moss 

 against the wood; put the plant in position and wire it firmly, pack- 

 ing in portions of the peat and moss wherever possible. Most sorts, 

 except P. alcicorne, like a warm house. 



Propagation. P. grande can only be propagated in quantity 

 from the spores, which are found in a large mass underneath the 

 primary division of the frond. Raising young plants in this way is 

 not a difficult operation, but one that requires lots of patience. A 

 pan should be prepared containing fibry peat, chopped fine; add a 

 liberal quantity of finely broken brick, charcoal, and coarse sand. 

 The pan should be placed in a flat of water so that the mixture may 

 derive moisture from beneath. Water should never be given over- 

 head, as germination depends, to a great extent, on the spores re- 

 maining in the same spot until the prothallus begins to form. Most 

 other sorts increase rapidly from the roots, many bud like processes 

 forming on the surfaces and sending up tiny leaves. These young 

 plants may be removed when an inch or two high, and potted singh- 

 in small pots. 



POLYPODIUM. This is the largest genus of the order, and 

 includes many plants which have long been known under other 

 generic names. These names are in common use, and it is likely 



