284 



spores and have to be propagated by division of the crowns 

 whilst many others are best propagated by division of the 

 creeping rhizomes. 



Propagation by division is the quickest and most 

 general method and is particularly applicable amongst our 

 native Ferns. Plants which form crowns generally possess 

 tw^o or three of these and by passing a knife between the 

 crowns and pulling them apart two or more young plants, 

 which only require to be potted separately to form in- 

 dependent subjects, are produced. 



Ferns with creeping rhizomes can be propagated With- 

 out any difficult by merely cutting these organs into pieces 

 of suitable length and pegging them down on tree steins or 

 in baskets. 



In the case of Ferns producing proliferous growths or 

 ''bulbils" on the fronds the mode of propagation is ob- 

 viously by collecting the bulbils and potting them up singly 

 in small pots. Ferns fronds of this nature can generally 

 he made to produce a numbers of bulbils by pegging them 

 down Hat on sandy soil in a moist shady place. 



Culture: — The nature of a Fern generally suggests 

 whether it should be grown in a pot, on a tree stem, or in a 

 basket. 



Those kinds with creeping rhizomes do best in baskets 

 as a rule whilst those which form crowms and fibrous roots 

 are most suitable for pot culture. One of the most effective 

 ways of growing many of our Ferns is on the stems of 

 trees, palms, etc. (see illustration on opposite page). 



Although it frequently happens that the conditions un- 

 der which plants grow spontaneously cannot be artificially 

 produced the knowledge of the positions in which they grow 

 naturally materially aids in their successful cultivation. It 

 may be safely stated that the majority of Ferns require 

 shade and moisture. Most gardens possess one or more 

 spots of this nature, under trees generally, and in those 

 situations Ferns luxuriate if reasonable care be taken in 

 their cultivation. 



Ferns grown in pots require fresh potting more or less 

 frequently according to their rate of growth; but it is 

 advisable to avoid over-potting. These plants generally 

 grow best whose roots are in contact with the inside of the 

 pots. Care must be given to watering as Ferns resent 

 overwatering as quickly as any other plant if the soil is in 

 any way water logged or sour, on the other hand care must 

 also be taken that the roots do not become too dry. 



