CHAPTER VII. 



HINTS ABOUT SOILS AND POTS FOR FERNS. 



HE composition of the soil in which ferns 

 are to be grown must be left, in matters 

 of detail, to the cultivators themselves. 

 No absolute rule can be laid down, as the modes 

 of fern-growth are so various ; and, besides, the 

 materials most readily obtained by one person 

 may not be available to another. The essential 

 thing is to produce a soil which shall be light, and 

 at the same time capable of being made quite firm. 

 Ferns cannot endure a sour soil, or one that will 

 allow the water given the plant to become stag- 

 nant. In all cases, a perfect drainage must be 

 secured. Very strong-growing ferns, which root 

 deeply, may be planted, when in pots, with a few 

 pieces of broken crocks at the bottom of the pot, 

 so long as the soil above remains porous ; but 

 species of less vigor will require more drainage- 

 material. It is just as important not to overdo 

 drainage as not to neglect it ; for, if too much of 



