GIGANTIC NON-ARBORESCENT FERNS. 



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Another and most plausible reason may here be given for favouring the 

 culture of these gigantic non- arborescent Ferns, inasmuch as, if they do not 

 actually require the abundance of light which must be allowed to many 

 other kinds of plants, they accommodate themselves to the effects of it, as 

 Tree Ferns usually do. It naturally follows that in Ferneries in which 

 arborescent species, and also Ferns belonging to this section, are sufficiently 

 represented, the necessity for artificial shading is considerably reduced, as 

 under the shelter of these robust growers, many of the more delicate among 

 the smaller kinds are found to thrive admirably without needing any further 

 shading. Although all these kinds may be grown in pots, and under such 

 treatment form very beautiful objects, it is only reasonable to state that they 

 are all much more adapted for planting out in the Fernery, as, under such 

 conditions, the development of their gigantic fronds is not impeded by 

 occasional neglect, the effects of which, often irreparable, are always much 

 more apparent when the plants have their roots bound round the sides of a 

 pot, than when they are allowed to roam over a practically unlimited space. 



With a view to helping in the plantation of the Fernery, we here give 

 a list comprising no other species than those which will thrive in a minimum 

 temperature of 55deg. during the winter, so that all of them can be safely 

 grown together. According to the position which they should occupy in the 

 house, and also to suit their peculiar requirements, the large-growing non- 

 arborescent Ferns may be divided into three sections. The first, and also the 

 most extensive, comprises only plants whose requirements are easily satisfied, 

 which thrive well in the ordinary mixture of soil, such as that used for 

 Ferns in general, and which will succeed in any part of the Fernery : these 

 are, of course, the sorts most frequently met with, and are marked with an 

 asterisk (*) in the accompanying list. The second section consists either of 

 plants that require drier treatment, or else of kinds of a more drooping 

 habit ; in any case, they are all Ferns which are benefited by being planted 

 on elevated positions : these are marked with a dagger (|). The semi-aquatic 

 or swamp-loving sorts, which are about the strongest growers of all, form 

 a third and last section : these, which in the list are marked with a 

 parallel (||), delight in being planted in the lowest part of the Fernery, and 

 thrive best where the ground, which should be of a spongy and not retentive 

 nature, can be permanently kept in a naturally damp condition. In addition 



