32 
Choice Ferns for Amateurs. 
very liable to damp o&. The operation consists in 
takino" small tufts of prothalli, and putting them in 
pots filled with a material similar to the one in 
which the spores were sown; but ^'reat care must 
be taken that no bruises result. On that account, 
small patches should be taken on a stick havino^ the 
least notch cut in the end, and they should be 
merely deposited, not pressed, into the new soil, 
and about lin. apart in all directions. For a few 
days after being pricked off the seedlings should 
be treated verv much as they w^ere Dreviously; 
they should still be watered by partial immersion, 
and no water should be applied overhead until the 
;s^oung plants have produced fronds. They should 
be gradually inured to the air by tilting on one side 
the glass cover, which may in a short time be re- 
inoved altogether. ITntil then, it is best to keep 
the Dots or pans at all times well shaded during 
sunshine, but not during dull weather. This is 
most effectually done by means of pieces of paper; 
these may be laid on the outside of the frame, and 
removed when not required. When fronds have 
made their appearance, the seedlings will not re- 
quire any other shading than that usually provided 
for the house. Having produced three or four 
rudimentary fronds, they should be sufficiently 
strong for being transferred, at first three in a not, 
then separately in small pots. On account of their 
tenderness it will be found necessary to place them 
in a somewhat close atmosphere, well shaded and 
carefully watered, where thev should remain until 
perfectly established, and where the air must be 
admitted gradually. 
The foregoing details, though anplying particu- 
larly to British and other hardy Ferns, suggest a 
mode of treatment that is equally suited to the 
pronaeration of greenhouse and stove species and 
varieties, exception being made simnly as regards 
the temperature to which they should be subjected, 
as they will fare all the better if sown in a close case 
in which a temperature of from 70deg. to 75deg. 
can be evenly maintained. Fern spores vary greatly 
