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THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. 



Fern, Asplenium (Athyrium) Filix-foemina, and to those of the common 

 Hartstongue, Scolopendrium vulgare, in which the duplication of the crowns 

 takes place much more readily than in other generas. It is undoubtedly the 

 safest mode of increasing most of the crested, tasselled, cruciated, congested, 

 or depauperated forms of these species, the faithful reproduction from spores 

 of the endless, and in some cases confusing, varieties being, at least, doubtful. 



When Ferns are to be propagated by the division of the crown, it is 

 necessary to allow sufficient time for its full development into two or more 

 distinct centres of growth, when it will be found that each of these is 

 provided with its own set of roots, and is really a perfect plant. In that 

 case, by passing a sharp knife just between the crowns only — taking care, 

 however, not to cut the roots — and afterwards pulling them apart, two or 

 more young plants, which only require to be petted separately to form 

 independent subjects, are produced. It is also deemed advisable sometimes 

 to resort to that operation as a means of regulating the growth of the plants 

 which are of less graceful appearance, when through the multiplicity of 

 crowns a perfect crowd, developing in all directions, is produced. The most 

 favourable time for the operation is from the middle of March to the middle 

 of April, just before the plants start into fresh growth ; the young subjects 

 will then have plenty of time to thoroughly establish themselves during 

 the ensuing season. If this mode of propagation is applied to British 

 Ferns, they should, after the operation has been performed, be kept 

 in a cold frame, as artificial heat is not in any way beneficial to 

 them, and little or no water should be given until the first fronds 

 make their appearance, which they generally do from ten to fifteen days 

 after separation. When separating the crowns of exotic Ferns of evergreen 

 nature, the divisions must, for a few weeks, be put under glass in a frame, 

 to which air and light should be gradually admitted until the young plants 

 are strong enough to stand outside the case. It will also be found 

 advisable to subject to the same process such kinds as, for instance, the 

 crested and other abnormal forms of the Male Fern, Nephrodium {Lastred) 

 Filix-mas, which are apt to develop several crowns, not by the process of 

 fission, like the species above-named, but through the development of side 

 buds. The removal of these buds is undoubtedly beneficial to the mother- 

 plant, which then produces a more vigorous and more symmetrical growth, 



