—5i— 



the spores of one variety finding lodgment on the fronds 

 of another. I have sown spores from Adiantum fronds - 

 and reaped instead of Adiantums an excellent crop of 

 Pteris where the spores had got mixed in this way ; the 

 Adiantum spores were there all right, but the Pteris 

 spores being the stronger growing and quicker germi- 

 nating variety it was simply a case of the survival of the 

 fittest. The lesson thus learned is to keep the varieties 

 by themselves and as far away from others as possible 

 for some time previous to the selection of spore fronds. 



The next thing is the preparation of the seed-pans. 

 These should be thoroughly cleaned to insure that no 

 germs of moss or fungus are left lodging around. A 

 great deal of what is known as damping off has its origin 

 from this source, being the work of a minute fungus. 

 Fill the pans about one-third full of broken crocks, 

 larger ones in the bottom and those on top finely broken. 

 Over this place a layer of moss, then fill to within an 

 inch and a half of the top with ordinary potting soil. 

 On this place half an inch of soil which has been sub- 

 jected to a baking process long enough to kill all vegeta- 

 tion in it. This insures against the growth of moss, 

 which in unbaked soil would be more rapid than that of 

 the ferns and prove a source of considerable trouble. 

 This baking of the soil was at one time one of the secrets 

 of fern cultivation, but it is now pretty generally prac- 

 ticed. The surface soil in the pan should be pressed 

 down and made as smooth as possible. A good soaking 

 with water should be given and allowed to drain off be- 

 fore sowing the spores. Sow the spores thinly, I may 

 say very thinly. The spores being very minute, it is an 

 easy matter to sow too thickly without being aware of 

 it. Do not cover the spores, but leave them on the sur- 

 face of the soil and place over the pan a close fitting pane 

 of glass. The pane must be turned frequently to prevent 

 the moisture from dripping, which would throw the 

 spores into little bunches. Water should never be given 

 from the top, but the pan should be set in a saucer which 



