60 
Choice Ferns for Amateurs. 
part silver sand, and one of partly-decomposed 
sphagnum, will satisfy all species having either 
crowns or slender rhizomes which delight in 
running into loose and decayed vegetable matter. 
If, however, Trichomanes radicans is alone to be 
grown, then equal parts of peat and porous 
sandstone roughly broken into pieces of various 
sizes should be supplied. To the latter the hairy 
rhizomes cling, while the fleshy roots run freely 
amongst the pieces, from which they derive all the 
nourishment they require. Where a commoner class 
Fig. 36. SemicircuIar=topped Fern=case made by 
Bade and Son. 
of Ferns is to be grown, two parts peat or leaf-mould, 
one part fibrous loam, and one part silver sand, will 
be found the most satisfactory compost. In these, 
as in Filmy Fern cases, a miniature rockery may be 
prepared. The material for this, whether consisting 
of tufa or natural stone, should be firmly embedded 
in the soil; they need only be stood up, and their - 
base may with advantage be planted with small 
pieces of Ficus repens minima, which in time covers 
them, and may easily be kept within bounds by 
occasional pruning. Some small-growang Selagi- 
nellas may also be planted in close proximity 
