TREE FERNS. 



17 



in height to the length of the fronds, should be planted permanently in a 

 previously -prepared bed. Thorough drainage is indispensable, and it should be 

 made of clinkers, intermixed with brick rubbish and coarsely-broken charcoal, 

 so as to allow the more than ordinary amount of water which must be given 

 to pass off freely. The drainage should be covered with a layer of moss, 

 preferably sphagnum. The shortened stem must be set on the drainage, and 

 then should be securely fixed thereon by the addition of some similar material 

 placed around its base. Upon this a mixture of two-thirds peat and one-third 

 loam should be placed, and arranged so as to form a little mound around 

 the stem. This disposition will prevent the great quantity of water resulting 

 from copious and frequent syringings from keeping the base too wet until the 

 fresh young roots have attained a certain development, after which little fear 

 need be entertained on that score. These syringings should be administered 

 carefully over the whole surface of the trunks, so as to favour the develop- 

 ment of fresh roots in equal proportion all around the stems. It is from 

 these syringings, given early in the morning and late in the evening, that the 

 greatest benefit is derived. A light shading should also be applied during the 

 hottest part of the day, principally in early spring, and until the new fronds 

 have attained that state of hardness which will enable them to stand a much 

 greater amount of light than is generally supposed to be good for them. 



The above treatment is also that generally adopted, and with the most 

 satisfactory results, in the case of newly-imported stems. These are some- 

 times surrounded with a layer of sphagnum, which undoubtedly favours the 

 emission and development of new roots ; but unless such packing is carefully 

 performed by experienced hands, it is productive of much mischief, as when — 

 by the repeated use of the syringe, and likewise through the slow but un- 

 avoidable shrinking of the mossy material which is continually being washed 

 away — the roots become exposed, these, besides presenting an untidy appear- 

 ance, are also subjected to the danger of drying much more rapidly than 

 those of plants otherwise treated, and of losing their vitality in a singularly 

 short space of time. 



The watering of Tree Ferns, when they are well established, should, 

 whenever practicable, be done from the very crown downwards, as batches 

 of fresh young roots are invariably produced at the base of each new set 

 of fronds. 



D 



