122 FERNS 



windows or over-heated living rooms. Few 

 ferns submit to such a wide range of tempera- 

 ture; anything, in short, above the freezing 

 point will do. The genus seems also indiffer- 

 ent as to receptacles in which to live, thriving 

 as well in an undrained bean pot as in a 

 common flower pot hidden or not by a costly 

 jardiniere. "True, however, to the inherent 

 nature of the race, this particular fern prefers a 

 light soil. It likes plenty of water, yet it can go 

 dry for a long period with but little damage. 



Growth may be stimulated in various ways, 

 preferably by liquids. It is my own experience 

 that cold coffee is especially beneficial to ferns 

 in general. Fabulous tales are told of the 

 "boom" in growth resulting from burying 

 oysters in the pot, but bonemeal is certainly 

 more wholesome. Phosphates are also suit- 

 able, and are said to be disastrous to the 

 white worms which somehow manage to in- 

 fest soil supposed to be sterilized. 



The old aphorism, "Every dog has his 

 day," is applicable to the plant world. A 

 new star arose, and for a time it seemed that 



