160 



THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. 



covered with foliage during the resting season. Such a place may safely 

 be planted at any time from October to March ; but if it is tolerably sheltered, 

 it will be found preferable to plant during the autumn, as root action in 

 most hardy Ferns commences long before there are any visible outward signs 

 of vegetation, and in that case the plants moved in the autumn will, if kept 

 sufficiently moist, have made a quantity of fresh roots, upon which the new 

 growth is mostly dependent. In an exposed situation it is best to plant 

 only in spring, and just before vegetation commences — that is, about the 

 end of March — as the plants are then in most vigorous state, the ascension 

 of the sap rendering them ready to take every advantage of the new 

 soil, the nutritive properties of which are readily assimilated by the roots. 

 Another point worthy of consideration in this case is derived from the fact 

 that if any of the old fronds are injured through the operation, there is 

 but little harm done ; whereas if the planting takes place later on, the 

 injuries done to the young growths may result in a permanent disfigure- 

 ment of the plants. 



When a hardy Fernery is once established it requires very little attention 

 to keep it in order. The whole work in connection with such a place 

 is limited to occasional waterings during the summer, while during the 

 winter a slight covering of old leaves or other light material placed over 

 their crowns will enable the tenderer sorts to withstand uninjured the 

 rigour of our severest winters. Such protecting material must be carefully 

 removed as soon as the hard frosts are over, or its presence will prove 

 detrimental to the plants, either by the breaking of the young fronds if the 

 operation is performed when these are partly developed, or by their sudden 

 exposure to drying winds and late frosts, if they have been allowed to make 

 their growth under artificial protection. 



