Cultural Conditions. 
45 
case completely abolished, the production of spores 
being suppressed. The other departure is Apospory, 
which was brought prominently before the public 
by Mr. Charles T. Druery, who discovered that in 
certain Ferns the prothalli w^ere produced as out- 
growths from the pinnules of the Fern fronds, and 
not from the spores. With this method the sexual 
reproduction is not affected, and the leafy Ferns are 
developed from the prothalli in the usual way. But 
the prothallus, according to the variety in which 
Apospory was observed, is either modified sporangia 
or simply a structure of prothalloid nature, without 
any connection with sori or sporangia. Interesting 
to the scientist as these departures from the normal 
may be, they are without the scope of this work, 
which is intended purely as a guide to the amateur. 
Those, how^ever, who wish io learn more concerning 
Apospory will find it fully described in " The Book 
of Choice Ferns." 
CULTURAL CONDITIONS. 
In order successfully to cultivate Ferns, it is 
necessary to remember the conditions under which, 
as a rule, they grow in a state of nature. The 
exact surroundings, of course, cannot more than be 
approximated to in the majority of cases. There- 
fore, whether dealing with the occupants of the 
hardy Fernerj^ or those of the glass-house, this fact 
must not be lost sight of. Shade and moisture are 
absolutely necessary to the well-being of the many; 
while there are a few that thrive best in exposed 
and airy situations. For the purpose here we may 
broadly divide Ferns into those that are hardy and 
those that require Drotection. Aspect in each case 
must be studied. For instance, the hardy Fernery, 
whether it be a modest rockery or a more pretentious 
affair, should be constructed in a moist and cool 
spot, where strong light does not penetrate. 
Usually, therefore, one in the neighbourhood of tall 
deciduous trees, and having a north aspect, should 
be selected, as these would protect the plants alike 
from cold winds and scorching sun. There are 
