CHAPTER XI. 



SPECIAL WAYS OF GROWING FERNS. 



HE ordinary treatment in the greenhouse 

 or fernery, under which most plants will 

 flourish, will not answer for certain ferns. 

 Their special wants must receive particular con- 

 sideration. Foremost among -these exceptional 

 plants are the " Gold " and " Silver " Ferns. They 

 are chiefly species of Gymnogramme, Notholcena 

 (PI. 2), Cheilanthes (PI. 6 and 10), and Pellcea 

 (PI. 4). Nearly all are ferns which appear to 

 have the power of living a part of the time where 

 the air is dry. The genera to which the Gold and 

 Silver Ferns belong contain also other species 

 which have no white or yellow powder upon their 

 fronds. Almost all the ferns of the above genera 

 can be cultivated in the temperate house, al- 

 though some species may seem to flourish better 

 in the tropical house ; but, as they prefer less 

 moisture overhead than most ferns, the temperate 

 house will, on the whole, be the best place for 



