28 Ferns and Fern Culture. 
SANDSTONE. 
This is of two kinds, the red and the white. Of the 
two, white is preferable for mixing with the compost for 
Filmy Ferns, some of the Cheilanthes, Nothocloenas, and 
Pellzas. It must be broken into small pieces, and if 
made very small it may be used instead of ordinary sand, 
if there is difficulty in procuring that material. 
CHARCOAL. 
For certain Ferns this is very valuable. It should be 
broken small and mixed with that compost, which has 
to be kept very open and porous for the ready escape of 
surplus water. 
MOSS. 
Sphagnum moss grows in wet places, and no doubt to 
a large extent forms common bog. When alive and ina 
growing condition it is much used for orchid culture. It 
may be chopped small and mixed with some kinds of 
fern compost. 
Wood moss is found in large flakes. It is useful for 
lining baskets, wire netting for walls, cylinders, &c., and 
it is also serviceable for putting over the drainage of 
pots, to prevent the soil washing down and stopping up 
the outlet. 
CROCKS. 
These are broken plant pots used for drainage. They 
must be of various sizes, according to the pots for which 
they are required. Bricks broken small, rough cinders, 
or pieces of charcoal, will answer the same purpose. 
There is also a patent crock now manufactured, which is 
handy, takes up little room, and appears to answer its 
purpose well. 
POTTING STICKS. 
These may be mentioned as accessories to the potting 
materials. Their use is to facilitate the pressing of the 
new soil regularly and firmly round the old ball of a 
plant when being re-potted. For example, when a plant 
