Ferns and Fern Culture. 33 
Although manure is not necessary for Ferns, many do 
not object to it; the strong growing kinds particularly 
appear to like it. That from an old mushroom bed may 
be mixed in moderate proportion with the compost. A 
small quantity of Ichthemic guano, or a little powdered 
cow manure, may be added, but with caution. 
The foregoing arrangement will be a guide to those 
anxious to have their plants in the best possible condi- 
tion. If the arrangement is adhered to, other conditions 
being also favourable, the results will be entirely satis- 
factory. 
WARDIAN CASES. 
The compost for Wardian cases should consist of loam, 
leaf mould, sand, and peat in equal proportions, with 
half as much charcoal, and if for Filmies, a little broken 
sandstone, all rather rough and open. 
WALLS. POCKETS. 
Compost for Ferns planted against wired walls should 
be rougher than that in pots and pans, but of the same 
ingredients, For small receptacles like cork pockets and 
fern tiles fastened against walls it should be similar to 
that used for pots, Whenever good peat is unobtainable 
an extra quantity of leaf mould should be put in the 
compost, 
ROCKWORK. 
Compost for this, whether indoors or out, should be 
specially rough and open, the roughest being used for the 
bottom and the finer for the upper portion of the pockets 
in which the Ferns are planted. Compost for outside 
ferneries should consist of loam, leaf mould, sand, and 
peat in equal quantities, giving to Polypodiums a little 
extra leaf mould; to Osmundas, extra peat; to Scolopen- 
driums a little old mortar or oyster shells crushed small. 
Blechnums cannot do with lime in any form. They 
should therefore be planted quite apart from Scolopen- 
driums and others of similar tastes. 
