The Art of Multiplying Ferns. 67 



say, then, be sure before you begin that you know 

 what you ought to do. If you cannot see how to 

 divide a plant without spoiling it because it neither 

 offers you offsets, nor a crown large enough to be 

 severed without danger, leave it alone, be content and 

 wait. The habits of different species must be observed 

 also if the cultivator would become expert in propa- 

 gating. Take for example Onoclea sensibilis, a charming 

 flowering fern for a damp place in a rockery out of 

 doors or under glass, which I hope you will obtain at 

 the first opportunity, if you do not already possess it. 

 Now, this fern propagates itself; that is to say, the 

 rhizoma runs along near the surface, and at some 

 distance from the parent plant throws up several dis- 

 tinct crowns. Leave the plant alone for a couple of 

 seasons and it will be surrounded by, or rather it will 

 consist of, a number of separate centres of growth 

 forming a large rich mass of vegetation. You may 

 divide this into as many pieces as you please, provided 

 each piece has its own centre and tuft of roots, and 

 make plants of them all with patience aided by shade 

 and moisture. Take on the other hand a potted 

 Gleichenia that has been in the same pot two or three 

 years, and you will find it dead in the centre, but all 

 round next the pot will be a series of .crowns. Care- 

 fully knock it out of the pot, lay it on its side, pass 

 the knife through it, separate the pieces and shake 

 from them the old worn-out soil and pot as before; 

 but in this case put the plant into a warm pit or 

 some other place where it can have a temperature of 

 60 to 70° with shade and a humid atmosphere, to encou- 



