42 
HINTS ON THE MANAGEMENT OF FERNS. 
suffer, than when the atmosphere is clear and less humid, but at all times water 
should be given with the greatest caution, as once over watering- may be attended 
with the worst consequences. In dry weather it may be seen when a plant needs 
water by the appearance of the soil, which will be dry on the surface, but although 
this cannot be taken as a sure criterion, it is certainly better than always watering- 
indiscriminately, without reference to any rule, which is too often the case. As 
ferns, like most other plants, are subject to the attacks of insects, particularly the 
red-spider, it is necessary to syringe them now and then over the leaves in order 
to arrest the progress of this little intruder, the best time to perform this is in the 
evening, after a fine summer's day. After this operation it is not uncommon to 
see many of the pots left standing full of water, which in many instances is 
succeeded by an indication of sickness in the plant, to remedy this the plants should 
be looked over, and where water is found standing in the pots, they should be turned 
on one side until this superabundance has run off, then they may be placed in their 
upright position without sustaining any injury. His Grace the Duke of Devon- 
shire's collection of ferns at Chatsworth are planted in the fissures of the rock- 
work in the stove, giving the whole at all times a very pretty and interesting 
appearance. In fine, from the varied shapes of the leaves, the peculiar manner of 
their development, a continued diversity is 
maintained, which is quite engaging and 
beautiful ; in this situation they grow sur- 
prisingly and are remarkably healthy. 
The accompanying figure is the Bladder- 
wrack, (Fucus vesiculosus:, Linn.) it belongs to 
the Jussieuan order Alga' ; the leaf is smooth, 
glossy, and dark olive, having a mid -rib 
tapering from its base : a, represents the 
vesicles, containing the spores ; b, a section 
of the same. The plant is said to be 
employed in the manufacture of kelp. It is 
readily known by the round hollow bladder- 
like excrescence, which is said to be filled 
with air, in the male plant, while in the 
female it contains a jelly. In the dry state 
the plant assumes a dull black colour very 
brittle, and is not unfrequently found covered 
with a kind of saline efflorescence. 
The subject of Ferns we shall resume at a future opportunity. 
