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THE FLOWER GROWER'S GUIDE. 



mixing of ripe spores gathered from the fronds of different kinds of ferns, sowing these 

 thickly, and treating in the manner that will be described. But why sow thickly ? 

 Because by so doing the first growths (prothallia) from the spores, instead of resting 

 flat on the soil, as they would if ample room were afforded, are forced upwards at the 

 edges by crowding, thus exposing, so to say, the "flowers of ferns "to the fructifying 

 influence by the transmission of the quickening antherozoids, from one germ frond to the 

 receptive organ (archegonia) of another of a different species or variety. 



As the result of such process, and the practice of mixing the spores, many beautiful 

 new ferns have been raised perfectly distinct from all others, and more will certainly follow 

 in due course. "When it is desired to raise large numbers of any particular kind of ferns 

 that shall be true in character to the plants that produced the spores, these must not 

 be mixed, but sown separately, or the object in view will not be attained. 



Eaising Spokelings. — So-called " seedling" ferns are usually more perfect in form and 

 of freer growth than are plants obtained by division or rhizomes. Fully matured fronds 

 bearing spores, on the underside, should be examined frequently, and when the sori, or 

 cases, begin to turn brown, the time has arrived for collecting. Gather the fronds, and 

 place them, spore side downwards, on a sheet of paper, in a dry position, or the fronds 

 may be placed in paper bags. Keep the species or varieties separated, except for the 

 purpose of cross-fertilisation. The spores may be sown at any time of the year, and 

 long delay after gathering them is unadvisable. 



Extra pains must be taken with the preparation of the pans, or pots of soil for the 

 reception of fern spores. Half fill 6-inch pots or pans with crocks, and fill up firmly 

 with a mixture of fine sifted peat and small pieces of crushed bricks. For very choice 

 ferns, the peat should be first baked, with a view to destroying fungi germs, and also the 

 spores of common kinds of ferns which are liable to overpower the more delicate 

 growers. Give the soil, after it has been made firm and level in the pots, a good watering, 

 through a fine rose, then wait till the next day before sowing the spores. Distribute 

 these as evenly as possible, covering with squares of glass only. Set the pots or pans in 

 saucers of water, in a temperature of 60° to 65° and shade heavily. The spores must 

 not be disturbed by watering, but the soil should be kept constantly moist from below, 

 filling the saucers with water, as often as it is drawn, by capillary attraction, up into the 

 soil. Vegetation may take place in a fortnight, but, in the case of some species, it is fre- 

 quently delayed for months. The prothallus, or small green cellular expansion, first 

 appears, and tiny fronds spring from it in due course. 



