FERNS— HARDY AND EXOTIC. 



3S5 



FERNS ON WALL. 



Gymnogrammas are thickly covered with white or yellow powder, which is easily rubbed off. 

 Curiousforms are plentiful, but none are more striking than the Stag's-hom Fern (Platycerium), 

 which has boldly-divided fronds, as its popular name suggests. Climbing Ferns are not 

 numerous, but at the same time there are a few, while there are many with creeping stems 

 which will travel some distance. The filmy or transparent Ferns are charming, but they 

 need far more attention than any of the others, as they occur principally in moist forests, and 

 on this account a particularly humid atmosphere is necessary. 



CULTURE. — At one time peat soil and heavy shading were considered essential to the 

 successful cultivation of stove and greenhouse Ferns, but this practice has been considerably 

 modified of late years, and now the majority of decorative Ferns are potted in a mixture of 

 loam, peat or leaf mould, and sand, while only moderate shading is given. Potting should be 

 done about March, though plants that are growing freely may be shifted into larger pots if 

 necessary at any time, except late autumn and winter. While the majority will succeed 

 perfectly in the compost just mentioned, others need special treatment, and this will be alluded 

 to in dealing with the separate families. Many Ferns are very beautiful when grown in 

 suspended baskets or pots, their elegant growth being in this way seen to advantage. The 

 dead trunk of a Tree Fern may be turned into a very beautiful object by planting other Ferns 

 thereon ; thus a specimen with ample leafage should be placed on the top, and various creeping 

 kinds around the stem, which will in time be completely clothed with them. The top should 

 be hollowed out for the reception of the plant there, and the creeping kinds may be bound round 

 with a little live Sphagnum Moss, which will assist them to become quicklv established. If 

 damped overhead frequently this will soon take place. Ferns are by many regarded as water- 

 loving plants, and this applies to most kinds, providing (and this is very important) that ample 

 drainage is ensured, for stagnant moisture is hurtful. 



PROPAGATION. — This is, as a rule, accomplished in three different ways — firstly, by 

 division; secondly, by spores ; and the third is only applicable to proliferous Ferns, that is, Ferns 

 which produce little plants on the fronds. These tufts simply need to be brought in contact with 



