126 Ferns and Fern Culture. 
undisturbed, even when there are but a few, for, like 
insects generally, they rapidly multiply, and soon do 
irreparable mischief. 
Woodlice are night raiders, hiding in chinks, holes, 
under pots, and in other places during the day. Traps 
should be laid for these. Pieces of turnip, apple, or 
potato hollowed out, and placed so that they can get in, 
will often entice them, and they may be caught the next 
day upon examination of the traps. 
Small pots with a little potato in, and filled loosely with 
moss or hay, placed on their sides near where the insects 
harbour, will prove very effective traps. They should 
be examined every morning. 
A few toads, notwithstanding the aversion many people 
have for them, kept in a fernery will destroy a large 
number of these injurious insects. 
Slugs and Snails should be sought for by lamplight. 
They can rarely be found during the day, although their 
trail is very conspicuous. About an hour after dark they 
come out of their hiding places, and may then be caught 
as they are about to commence further mischief. Some- 
times, with the most persistent search, they evade detec- 
tion. It is then advisable to put down little heaps of 
bran, saturated with vinegar, and examine them late at 
night; or lay a few lettuce leaves about, under which 
they will often creep, and where they may be found the 
next morning. Hollowed turnips, carrots, and apples 
serve well as traps. Maidenhair Ferns are terribly pes- 
tered by little snails, some with spiral and others with 
circular shells. These may sometimes be found during 
the day by looking among the fronds and the crowns of 
the plants, but being small and dark-coloured they may 
be easily overlooked. Tiny slugs, after eating the centres 
out of the young fronds, just as they rise from the crown, 
often creep into the crowns to hide, and may be found 
by diligent search. Incessant warfare must be waged 
against these pests, large and small, or many Ferns will 
be prevented growing as they otherwise would do. 
Caterpillars are very troublesome in the outdoor 
fernery, and sometimes in cold houses. These must be 
sought for by daylight and picked off by hand, there 
