Cultivation of Greenhouse and Stove Ferns. 101 



ment both in heated houses as in cool ferneries and the 

 open air. The gold and silver ferns, such as gymno- 

 grammas, are for the most part highly susceptible of 

 injury through excess of water, especially when ad- 

 ministered by means of the syringe. All the tree ferns 

 such as Dicksonias require abundant/ supplies of water, 

 especially over their ample fronds. Most of the kinds 

 which have thick succulent leaves, such as Niphobolus, 

 require drier positions if planted out, and extra careful 

 drainage if in pots, than others that are of flimsy 

 texture. 



The cultivator must be careful to regulate heat and 

 moisture in such a manner as to ensure to the plants 

 regularly recurring seasons of activity and rest. When 

 new growth commences in spring there should be a 

 gradual augmentation of temperature and humidity to 

 afford needful stimulus and support. When in autumn 

 growth should naturally cease, the supplies of heat and 

 moisture should be diminished ; and during the winter 

 rest should be promoted by keeping the house as cool 

 and dry as is consistent with safety. It is bad policy 

 to expose ferns to hardships, such as deferring the 

 lighting of a fire until the fronds are actually frozen or 

 mildew has marred their beauty, for the next season's 

 growth is jeopardised by such treatment, and some 

 valuable plants may be lost entirely. At the same time 

 the cultivator may take comfortable assurance from the 

 fact that the majority of this class of plants are exceed- 

 ingly accommodating ; they will at times bear without 

 material injury more damp, more draught, more sun- 

 shine, and lower degrees of temperature than a prudent 



