14S 



OASSELL'S POPULAR GAEDENING. 



by the young plants, which aro freely developed in 

 the forks near the extremity of the fronds. 



Cultivation. — Most of the Gold and Silver Ferns 

 are easily grown. As a rule, they require more light 



amongst the most troublesome weeds when a piece of 

 ground is cleared, and grow with great luxuriance 

 under the vertical rays of a tropical sun. Many of 

 them, in England, other conditions of course being 

 suitable, can scarcely have too much light, and it 



GYUNOGKAUnA BBCOUrOSITA. 



than most other ferns ; indeed, they luxuriate in 

 direct sunlight if the plants have been grown in this 

 way from the first. Specimens which have been 

 accustomed to the subdued light and shading found 

 necessary for so many other ferns, do not, of couise, 

 like a sudden change into sunshine, and would for a 

 time show the effects of such treatment. In some 

 parts of tropical America some of the Gold Ferns aro 



is important to bear this in mind. For hanging 

 baskets, some of them are amongst the most valuable 

 of ferns, as their bright colours and gxaceful habit 

 render them so distinct. Syringing should be care- 

 fully avoided, as the flour-like powder on the fronds 

 is washed off, and the plants disfigured by the care- 

 less administration of water. The mixture m which 

 Gymnogrammas thrive best should be made up of onft 



