A BIT OF SUMMER, 



SWORD FERNS. 



Readers of The Floral World, do 

 you have success in growing sword ferns? 

 If so, perhaps I may also tell you of mine. 

 Last spring I repotted them in soil gath- 

 ered from the woods, composed of leaf 

 mold, well rotted cow manure and sandy 

 soil from near a creek, watered them well, 

 then placed them on a bench on the north 

 side of the house, giving each pot plenty 



of room. Every day I watered them well 

 with a watering pot (not the hose, as it is 

 too cold), and my ferns this fall have been, 

 the admiration of every one who has seen 

 them. 



Iowa. India J. Ruch. 



[Unless there was too much of the cow manure 

 used — and very little would suffice — the mixture of 

 soil you used for the ferns was of the best. Watch 

 your specimens carefully now for the appearance 

 of scale insects]. 



