148 



THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. 



frequently happens that the first two or three waterings, instead of being 

 beneficial to the plants, only serve to soak the pots, while the balls of soil 

 which the latter contain become so dry that it is often most difficult after- 

 wards to get them into a satisfactorily moist condition. 



When we consider that nearly all Ferns require to have their roots 

 kept at least moist at all times of the year, it will be readily understood that 

 the question of drainage is also one of the utmost importance ; for it is 

 now generally admitted that, compared with the process of watering and 

 the production of proper atmospheric moisture and temperature, the question 

 of soil is one of only secondary consideration. If Ferns suffer seriously from 

 drought, the presence of water-logged soil is quite as pernicious and 

 destructive in its effects. When repotting Ferns, it should be remembered 

 that by far the greater number of them grow naturally in partly-decayed 

 vegetable matter, usually of a soft nature : they should therefore be made 

 firm in their pots, but on no account should they be potted hard. Formerly 

 a large proportion of peat was used in the cultivation of Ferns, as it is to 

 this day on the Continent ; but we have of late become better acquainted 

 with their requirements, and the superior qualities of leaf-mould have been 

 held as of considerable advantage to these plants. A compost of an open 

 nature, through which the water may readily pass, and which also favours 

 a change of air in the soil (so beneficial to the roots), consists of a mixture 

 of two parts of sandy loam, such as the kind in which the common Bracken 

 is generally found to luxuriate, with one part of leaf-mould, one part 

 of fibrous peat, and one part of coarse sand. This compost may be given as 

 the one possessing all the qualities required by the majority of Ferns ; it 

 makes a very open, porous material, in which most kinds will thrive. In 

 any case where a particular treatment is required, this will be given with 

 the description of the species. 



The Natural Fernery. 



Although Ferns are naturally a highly-interesting class of plants when 

 each species is taken individually, their beauty is greatly increased by judicious 

 disposition in massing them together ; and the natural Fernery, taken either 

 as a warm or as a cool structure, or even as an outdoor rockery, is the 



