64 Ferns and Fern Culture. 
repeatedly washed outside and in, to enable all the light 
to penetrate the fernery. The accumulation of soot and 
dirt on the glass during winter becomes very detrimental 
to the wellbeing of plants if allowed to remain. Fogs 
are a great cause of this deposit, and not only so but the 
ingredients of fog deposit are much worse to remove 
than ordinary dirt if once allowed to become dry. It will 
be wise, therefore, to: be lavish in the use of warm water 
and brush to the outside during the autumn and winter 
months. If the glass and rafters inside are washed occa- 
siovally with warm water and sponge the house will look 
cleaner and the plants will be much better for the labour 
expended. In the beginning of March the atmosphere 
becomes much clearer, the sun gains strength, and a 
little shade soon becomes necessary for houses containing 
stove Ferns if exposed fully to the sun. The hardier 
greenhouse kinds will not require shade for some time, 
and hardy Ferns not for two or three months. ‘ The 
position of the house and the character of its inmates 
will determine the time when shading becomes necessary. 
MEANS OF SHADING. 
Shade may be provided by blinds, or by one of numer- 
ous preparations put upon the glass. Blinds form the 
best means of shading. They should be fastened on 
rollers, and so arranged that when the rope is released 
the blind will roll down, and when no longer required 
may be rolled up again and secured in its place. 
There are various kinds of material suitable for blinds. 
Thick Tiffany, Frigi domo, closely woven cotton netting, 
and ‘The Willesden” rot-proof scrim canvas, the latter 
being preferable to any of the others, as it combines 
shading qualities with durability. These vary in thick- 
ness. Fora house greatly exposed the thicker material 
may be selected. Where little shade is required a thinner 
material will be more suitable. The great advantage 
connected with blinds over the permanent shading 
material is that on wet, dull days, when there is little 
or no sunshine, by keeping the blinds rolled up the full 
light is admitted to the plants, greatly to their advan- 
