XX 
European Ferns. 
Pot Culture. 
The cultivation of ferns in pots enables many to indulge their taste for these plants where 
neither room nor convenience exists for constructing a fernery in the garden, or even where no 
garden is at their disposal. The size of the pots in which these plants should be grown must 
be determined by circumstances. If the space required for their accommodation is of no object, 
there need be no restriction ; but where space is limited, it becomes a matter for serious con- 
sideration, and every effort must be made to produce the best possible results from the means 
at command. Even those so restricted need not despair, as a very creditable and enjoyable 
collection of ferns may be grown in a comparatively small area. 
The soil necessary for growing ferns in pots must be the same as that previously 
recommended ; it will, however, require to be chopped or broken into much smaller pieces, for 
convenience sake, or it would be impossible to get it into small pots. A sieve should not be 
used to obtain fine soil, as, although some plant-growers evince a great partiality for sifted 
mould, it is undoubtedly a great mistake, and we object to its use for anything but seed sowing, 
and in transplanting young plants from the seed-pans. 
Hardy ferns cease to grow in early autumn, continue at rest during the winter months, and 
will not have commenced growing before the month of April. Early in March, just before the 
life begins to stir within the crown, will therefore be the best time to repot or top-dress them 
with new soil. It is sound practice to turn every plant out of its old pot carefully, and if it 
should not require transplanting into a pot of a larger size, renew or make perfect the old 
drainage, shake some of the old soil away, and replace with fresh. In this operation, or in 
repotting, carefully avoid breaking or cutting the roots. We are aware that many consider it 
quite consistent with good culture, but it is a fallacious argument, as the plant is thus deprived 
of its support just at the very time of bursting into growth, when all the nourishment its roots 
can supply is required for the proper development of the fronds. 
In repotting avoid giving much extra room, as where very large pots are used the quantity 
of soil is apt to become sour before the roots are able to occupy it, and when once it has got 
into this state, not only will the fern roots avoid it, but it extends its baneful influence to that 
portion already full of roots, and kills them— a fact which soon becomes apparent by the sickly 
colour of the fronds. The soil being ready, see that the fresh pots are clean and dry. The 
first operation is draining ; this requires a certain amount of care, as very much depends upon 
the manner in which it is done. Any rough material will answer for this purpose, but broken 
pots — technically known by the name of crocks and potsherds — are the most convenient and 
most frequently used. The hole in the bottom of the pot should be first covered with a 
large crock, with the hollow side downwards, as, placed in this position, the surplus water is 
most rapidly carried away ; above this, for pots of medium size, place about an inch of 
potsherds broken rather small, but for large pots, where there is a larger quantity of mould 
to drain, about two inches will be necessary, over the drainage some rough pieces of turf should 
be laid, to prevent the fine soil from being carried down with the water into the drainage 
material. After this sufficient of the prepared compost should be put into the pot to bring 
the crown of the plant up to within about an inch of the rim ; this space, or even a little 
more, should be left available for water. Fill the sides round with soil, pressing it moderately 
firm, until at last the plant is left with the crown in the centre, and erect ; give a moderate 
watering to settle the new soil, and the operation is complete. 
Those ferns having creeping surface rhizomes, such as Davallia , Polypodium , Trichoinanes, 
