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THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. 



new soil, and about lin. apart in all directions. After they have been 

 pricked off, Fern seedlings should, for a few days, be treated very much 

 as they were previously ; they should still be watered by partial immersion, 

 and no water should be applied overhead until the young plants have 

 produced fronds. They should be gradually inured to the air by tilting on 

 one side the glass cover, which may in a short time be removed altogether. 

 Until then, it is best to keep the pots or pans at all times well shaded 

 during sunshine, but not during dull weather. This is most effectually done 

 by means of pieces of paper, which may be laid on the outside of the frame, 

 and removed when not required. But when fronds have made their appearance, 

 the seedlings will not require any other shading than that to which the house 

 is usually subjected. 



When the seedlings, provided with three or four rudimentary fronds, are 

 sufficiently strong, they must be potted, at first three in a pot, then separately 

 in small pots. On account of their tenderness it will be found necessary to 

 place them in a somewhat close atmosphere, well shaded and carefully watered, 

 where they should be kept until perfectly established, and where the air must 

 be admitted gradually. 



The foregoing details, though applying particularly to British and other 

 hardy Ferns, form a mode of treatment which is equally applicable to the 

 propagation of greenhouse and stove kinds, exception being made simply as 

 regards the temperature to which they should be subjected, as they will fare 

 all the better if sown in a close case in which a temperature of from 70deg. 

 to 75deg. can be evenly maintained. Although Fern seedlings, when under 

 suitable conditions, grow quickly during the spring and summer, it is impos- 

 sible to state how long they will take to form little plants. Seedlings of such 

 genera as Adiantum, Pteris, Gymnogramme, Nephroditwi, &c, soon make little 

 subjects requiring to be potted singly ; whereas those of others, especially 

 Gleichenia and Marattia, are of so very slow growth that we have known 

 seedlings of the former to show their first fronds only the third year after 

 the sowing took place. 



There is another, and, to our mind, a most important, reason why Ferns, 

 whenever practicable, should be propagated from spores : the interest attached 

 to their being reproduced in that way is greatly increased by the chance 

 thus afforded of finding something new, which cannot be obtained if the 



