WATERING FERNS 19 



that it can be used in a clear state, may be recommended. 

 The soot is rather difficult to mix with the water. It 

 is often put into the tanks in bags, but it is better to mix 

 it in a pail, making a paste of it, and then wash it through 

 a fine sieve into the tub or tank, it will then soon settle 

 down. 



The use of the Syringe. — Wall pockets which are 

 out of reach may be watered sufficiently with the syringe, 

 and it may be used in the way of a shower occasionally. 

 Those who grow large quantities of Ferns for market, 

 rarely, if ever, use it, except for wetting under the stages, 

 etc. Frequent syringing will be almost >sure to stain the 

 fronds, and where a fairly moist atmosphere can be 

 maintained it is quite unnecessary to use the syringe. 

 On no account should Gymnogrammas or others with the 

 powder or farina on the fronds be syringed. In the 

 Stove Fernery if too much moisture is given during the 

 winter it will condense on the glass and rafters, and 

 the cold drip on the fronds will discolour them. It may 

 be pointed out that with extra fire-heat more water may 

 be required than in the summer, and those nearest the 

 pipes are most likely to suffer. They are often the 

 further away from the reach of the water-pot, and may 

 be dry, while those nearer the front, which may be 

 easier to examine, are moist. 



