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CULTURE OF THE SPECIES OF THE GENUS PETROPHILA. 
Cibotium Barometz. 
Neplirodium Ottonis. 
Pteris arguta. 
Davallia canariensis. 
Nephrolepis exaltata. 
„ crenata. 
„ elegans. 
Niphobolus rupestris. 
„ esculenta. 
Dicksonia antarctica. 
Nothochlaena distans. 
„ falcata. 
Doodia Kunthiana. 
Platycerium alcieorne. 
„ longifolia. 
Gymnogramma ochracea. 
Polypodium aureum. 
„ serrulata. 
Lastrsea elongata. 
„ concinnum. 
„ tremula. 
Lomaria attenuata. 
„ pliymatodes. 
„ umbrosa. 
„ procera. 
Polystichum csespitosum. 
Select list of such as require the temperature of the stove : — 
Adiantum pulverulentum. 
„ tenerum. 
„ trapeziforme. 
Aspidium exaltatum. 
„ villosum. 
Asplenium fragrans. 
Cyathea medullaris. 
„ arborea. 
„ dealbata. 
Dicksonia arborescens. 
“ squamosa. 
Diplazium auriculatum. 
Gymnogramma rufa. 
,, calomelanos. 
„ tartarea. 
„ chrysophylla. 
„ sulphurea. 
„ leptophylla. 
„ chaerophylla. 
„ tomentosa. 
Lomaria Fraseri. 
Lygodium scandens. 
„ circinatum. 
Marattia elegans. 
Polypodium decumanum. 
„ fraxinifolium. 
„ lanceolatum. 
„ piloselloides. 
Pteris aculeata. 
„ palmata. 
„ podophylla. 
: 
CULTURE OF THE SPECIES OF THE GENUS PETROPHXLA. 
All the species are natives of Australia ; and although easy of culture, are yet scarce in 
collections. The best soil for the whole is a mixture of two parts of turfy peat and one 
part sandy loam. Dram well with plenty of broken potsherds, and mix a few pieces of free- 
stone, about an inch square, with the soil. These, by retaining moisture, will in some degree 
prevent the roots from suffering, in case of occasional drought, and which from their 
tenderness they are very liable to. Care should also be taken that the pots, in which the 
plants are placed, be of a sufficient size to allow of the roots growing freely; otherwise they 
do not flourish. 
Over- watering and drought are two extremes which these plants cannot endure ; they 
suffer, however, less from the former than the latter. The roots are so tender that it is 
requisite to water at all times with care, but especially in winter. These are also two 
important reasons why it is not advisable to place the plants out of doors during the 
summer, for either the roots suffer from drought by exposure to the sun and air, or they 
perish from over-moisture by rain ; and to these may be added a third, that they are liable 
to be lacerated by worms. 
Propagation is effected by cuttings taken off when the wood is ripe, and planted then 
in shallow pots of sand. Place the pots in a moderately warm and dry atmosphere, and 
cover them with a handglass ; water with care, and in about six weeks or two months they 
will have struck root. If the pots are plunged or placed in a moist strong peat, no success 
need be anticipated. When roots are potted off, place a handglass over them again, and 
allow it to remain until they have begun to grow. 
The genus belongs to the Proteaceous tribe, and like other Australian plants of similar 
habits, they require a dry, airy situation in the greenhouse, where they can enjoy plenty of 
light, and will at no time be affected by fire heat, which always injures them. 
