A Dictionary of Choice Ferns. 
151 
easily understood tliat Aspleniums require varied 
treatment. On that account, while some species 
and varieties need stove temperature to develop their 
foliage to perfection, others do well in a green- 
house temperature; while a few may even 
be used in the hardy Fernery. Although the 
majority of the hardier kinds — ^even our own 
A. marinum — grow very well for a time under 
the influence of strong artificial heat, it must 
be borne in mind that it is only a fictitious growth, 
as those species native of New Zealand, as well as 
our British kinds, are much more robust, although 
of slower growth, when kept in a lower temperature. 
A considerable number of exotic Aspleniums are 
either viviparous or at least proliferous at their 
apex. In either case, if there is any desire to in- 
crease the stock of any particular viviparous or 
proliferous species, the portion of the fronds bearing 
the rudiments of young plants should be fastened 
down to the soil by means of wooden pegs, in the 
way suggested when dealing with Propagation 
generally. None of the British Aspleniums are 
known to possess these viviparous or proliferous 
characters, and their propagation is usually effected 
through the division of their crowns, although they 
may with advantage be increased from their spores, 
which mostly ripen in the autumn and germinate 
freely during the following spring. 
As is only to be expected in so vast a genus, 
there are a few individuals that need special soil or 
special treatment; but these are easily catered for, 
and are comparatively few in number. The staple 
soil has already been given; but for ferns like 
A. hulhiferum Fabianum, so highly prized for table 
decoration; A. caudatum, one of the most beautiful 
of all for baskets; and A. formosum, another lovely 
species, peat and sand alone should be employed. 
For A. Adiantum-nigrum leaf-soil, sandy loam, lime 
rubbish, and fibrous peat, in about equal parts, 
should be provided. The elegant Lady Fern should 
be planted in a moist, shady situation — at the foot 
of a rockery, and in turfy soil; it is not as a rule a 
