314 PERNS : BRITISH AND FOREIGN. 



selection. Taking a view of the large number of 

 Ferns now in cultivation, their requirements as regards 

 soil, and mode of growth, we easily recognize two 

 classes — terrestrial and epiphytal. This division is 

 important. For the first class, by far the most ex- 

 tensive, it is necessary to use the soil of a finer or 

 coarser consistence, according to the delicate or 

 stronger character of the plant. In it there is s 

 more varied character of vernation, by which their 

 terrestrial character is indicated and very easily recog- 

 nized. Natural affinity of course is not taken into 

 consideration. However, with tolerable accuracy in 

 this respect, the genera Phegopteris, Lastrea, Nc- 

 phrodium, Adiantum, Asplenium, and Sitolobium give 

 examples of the chief variety of vernation indicative of 

 the terrestrial nature ; viz., erect, casspitose, decumbent 

 or sub-hypogeous, or, as in Nephrodium nnitum, and 

 N. pteroides, which, although with a true sub-scandent 

 sarmentum, they, however, prefer the firm soil of the 

 terrestrial group, a compost of two-thirds peat and 

 one loam, with abundance of sand, according to the 

 size of the plants for which it is to be used. 



In potting Ferns, an over-depth of soil should be 

 avoided, as well as a great depth of drainage. The 

 one promotes stagnancy, the other gives an oppor- 

 tunity for the most vigorous roots to descend 

 among its particles, and oftentimes they become too 

 dry when the soil is apparently moist enough, and the 

 tips of the foliage are in consequence injured, and 

 the plant disfigured. This applies more strictly 

 to species of small and delicate structure, such as 

 Asplenium firmum, A. dentatum,A. decussatum, &c.,and 

 for such the shallow pot is best adapted, the width of 



