Florist's Greex. 151 



seedlings every season, for if properly performed the 

 stocks nlay be divided several times. This should be 

 done in June. It is preferable to divide to crowns that 

 will go in a three inch pot, removing at the same time all 

 rusty fronds and stumps of former cuttings. If at hand, 

 obtain a part of the soil from some upland locality 

 where wild ferns grow, or leaf mould is to be found. 

 If these are not to be had, chop some sphagnum fine, mix 

 with it flour of bone in the proportion of four quarts to 

 a bushel, using one bushel of sphagnum so mixed, to six 

 of good loam. The soil should be good, but free from 

 anything in the shape of manure that is not thoroughly 

 decomposed, and tne manure should be used rather 

 sparingly even then. When these plants have been di- 

 vided and potted, they should be set on a bench that 

 has been properly shaded, all drafts kept from them, and 

 the house kept warm, damp, and free from the en- 

 trance of any air for a few days, or until they commence 

 to make root. When the plants are ready, shift to a 

 five inch pot, and from this size to an eight, which will 

 be the last, and this should be done early in September. 

 Crock the pots well, and for the last shift cover the 

 crocking with a handful of sphagnum through which 

 bone meal has been mixed in the proportion of one to 

 eight. Fill around the ball with soil as first recom- 

 mended, being careful to settle it with a tamping stick 

 so there shall be no vacancies or loose places. In the 

 spring a little liquid manure in the water once or twice 



