58 THE BOOK OF FERN CULTURE 



for the large-branching stems. For these, cork pockets 

 may be fixed at the top of each branch. They will grow 

 without much soil to root into, but if peat sphagnum 

 and a little fibrous loam is used they will not be so liable 

 to suffer from drought. Several sorts may be used on the 

 same stem •, the long, drooping fronds of Willincki are 

 most effective. The ordinary form of alcicarne may also 

 be recommended for the main stem, and ^thopicum 

 {stemmaria) fills up well. 



The Rock Fernery 



Many Ferns succeed much better when planted out than 

 they do if confined to pots, and a well-built Rockery 

 provides for the requirements of numerous widely 

 distinct species. The first thing is to build the Rockery 

 up so that there can be plenty of room for soil, with 

 suitable pockets or fissures for planting those which 

 require plenty of root-room. There must also be good 

 provision made for drainage. In regard to material for 

 the Rockery some sand-stones should be used ; brick 

 burrs, clinkers and some lumps of chalk may also be used. 

 Old root stumps will be suitable for some of the Poly- 

 podiums to spread over. The prominent points should 

 be provided with small pockets for the Cheilanthes, Noth- 

 ochlanas, small-growing Davallias, Pelleas, etc. Many of 

 the small-growing Ferns, though they may like a little 

 shade, do not succeed well where they are overtopped 

 with large plants, but some of the most shady nooks may 

 be planted with Selaginellas, Pteris scaberula in a cool 

 position where there is a fair amount of light makes a 

 pretty mass of its finely cut fronds. Davallia Nova 

 Zelandia is another which must have a moist, cool position. 



One of the most important matters in planting a 

 Rockery is to avoid putting those which make rapid 

 growth where they will overgrow the choice small 



