154 GREENHOUSE MAKAGEMENT. 



temperature of 60 to 65 degrees. In dividing and 

 transferring to pots, it is hardly desirable to make a very 

 fine division, as, although more plants can be obtained, 

 they will be slower in starting and less satisfactory. 

 During the spring and early summer, the young plants 

 should be kept in a cool house or in a frame, where 

 they can be properly shaded and watered. 



If to be used for cutting, the best results can be 

 obtained if the plants are bedded out. This should be 

 done early in August, in order that the plants may have 

 time to develop and harden off. The beds should con- 

 tain from four to five inches of compost, consisting of two 

 parts pasture sods and one part each of sand and rotten 

 manure. For most ferns a temperature of 60 to 65 

 degrees is desirable, and the stove ferns are benefited if 

 it is slightly higher, although some of the greenhouse 

 species do well if it is considerably lower. 



For the florist's use, in addition to the well-known 

 Adiantum cuneatum and gracillimum, such others as 

 A. elegans, A. Capillus- Veneris, A. concinmim and A. c. 

 latum, A. St. Catherina and A. decorum will be useful. 

 Adiantum Farleyense (Fig. 58) is among the best of the 

 Adiantums for decorative purposes, but except for very 

 elaborate cut-flower work, it will be less useful than 

 some of the more delicate sorts. The Pteris serrulata 

 and P. s. cristata, and other forms that are readily 

 grown, are also desirable, for planting out, either on or 

 under the benches, while Pteris tremula, and its varie'^ 

 gated form, P. argyrea, and P. cretica alba lineata 

 should not be neglected. 



When ferns are shifted, or planted out, they should 

 be shaded from the bright sun for several days, and the 

 foliage should be frequently syringed. If to be used for 

 cutting, after they have made their growth, the shading 

 should be taken off, and abundant ventilation should be 

 given, in order that the fronds may harden off, and thus 



