340 



THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. 



conspicuously out from the leafy portion of the fronds, and are frequently 

 villous (downy) and destitute of involucres or covering. All the species 

 are Tree Ferns. 



Culture. 



Nearly all the species comprised in the genus Alsophila, which are found 

 inhabiting permanently moist glens and which naturally produce large heads 

 of fronds of great magnificence, have a tendency to attain great dimensions. 

 Some of them, such as A. australis, A. co?ijugata, A. contaminans, A. Cooperi, 

 A. Leichardtiana, A. pycnocarpa, &c, are frequently seen in their native 

 habitats with stems varying between 20ft. and 30ft. in height ; while 

 A. excelsa, perhaps the most rapid grower of all, is said to have a trunk or 

 stem between 60ft. and 80ft. high. To induce them to make good growth 

 under artificial conditions, it is necessary that the Alsophilas, as well as all 

 other Tree Ferns, should have an abundant supply of water, which will 

 produce more efficacious results by its being distributed over the stems with 

 a syringe, liberally during the summer, but taking care to moderate the 

 sprinklings during the winter — without, however, suspending them altogether 

 in any case. The plants also require a good quantity of moisture at the 

 roots, and occasional waterings with weak liquid manure are beneficial to 

 them, especially in the spring when unfolding their new fronds. Although 

 Alsophiias grow well in a light conservatory, where they produce fronds of 

 a hardier and more substantial texture, it is under the combined influences 

 of shade and moisture that their most vigorous growth is produced : they 

 should therefore be sufficiently shaded to prevent the sun from burning the 

 fronds as they unfold, as also to keep them from being discoloured when 

 fully developed. Like all other arborescent Ferns, very little pot room will 

 be found sufficient for Alsophilas. They should be potted, tubbed, or, better 

 still, planted out in the houses, in a compost of three parts of peat, one part 

 of fibrous loam, and one part of sand as coarse as procurable : in this they 

 will grow luxuriantly for years without requiring further attention than 

 constant moistening. A. capensis, A. Van Geertii, and perhaps a few other 

 kinds, produce on their stems young growths, from which they can be 

 propagated ; but Alsophilas are usually increased from spores, which are 

 abundantly produced and germinate freely under warm treatment. 



