FERN CULTURE UNDER GLASSES IO9 



The older the plate the broader the rim, 

 hence a centenarian soup plate may have 

 other than aesthetic value. Such impro- 

 vised fern houses may range from seven to 

 ten inches in diameter. 



The fundamental structure or ground plan 

 must of necessity be somewhat regular, and 

 should be composed of broken crocks or 

 other porous matter, waste moss, soil and 

 bits of rock as needed, held firmly in place 

 by hairpins, great and small, and carpeted 

 with mosses carefully "tacked" down. Care- 

 ful selection of species is imperative, for 

 filmy deciduous ferns easily "damp off" 

 under glass, hence are of little use. Only 

 hardy or half-hardy species can be counted 

 on for lasting effects. 



It is really astonishing to see the way cer- 

 tain ferns luxuriate under the bell glass; 

 the walking leaf (Camptosorus) often becomes 

 prolific at every tip, vainly reaching about 

 for a rocky crevice in which to anchor its 

 rootlets, but contenting itself by growing a 

 perfect plant in mid-air. 



