Adiantum Farleyense. 



GROWING SPECIMEN FERNS. 



AN IMPROVEMENT ON FORMER METHODS. 



N NO department of plant-growing 

 is there more enjoyment to the 

 lover of fine foliage than in growing 

 ferns, and without fear of contra- 

 diction I may say that they are 

 universal favorites wherever they 

 are seen in good condition, and grown to the largest 

 size possible with the different varieties. Our con- 

 ception of the beauty of ferns is limited when we 

 see them only in a small state, and although for 

 commercial purposes they must necessarily be 

 small, private growers should aim to bring them 

 to their greatest perfection, as herein lies the charm 

 of the order. I believe we have yet to learn a good 

 many points about the cultivation of the ferns 

 known to us and grown by us for years. 



As an example, take Adiantum Farleyense [A. teneriim 

 Farleyense, according to Nicholson); how often do we 

 see this, the finest of the species, grown to anything like 



perfection ? I believe that any one can grow Farleyense 

 well; I know that it can be grown to dimensions that 

 would astonish those unfamiliar with the rank growth 

 of this fern under proper treatment. 



In my apprenticeship days we would have been well 

 laughed at to have advocated manure as an ingredient 

 •n the cultivation of ferns. I am not so very sure but 

 that this may be my lot now. Anyhow, I can point 

 with some pride to a plant of A. Farleyense grown in 

 manure and fibrous loam of equal parts, and its dimen- 

 sions justify me in advocating a rich soil for at least 

 some of the fine ferns. The specimen referred to is five 

 and one-half feet in diameter, equally furnished on all 

 sides, has no particular care, and is invariably watered 

 with a hose. One other assential necessary to success 

 is thorough drainage, which can be accomplished by 

 broken crocks, and plenty of good clean sphagnum moss 

 packed tightly to prevent the soil from getting to the 

 crocks. The accompanying figure, from a photograph, 

 will give some idea of how the plant looks. 



