THE FLOKAL WOULD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 
131 
must be entirely removed to prevent overcrowding. It must be 
understood tliat, if the long, vigorous shoots are pruned severely, 
other strong shoots will be produced ; whilst, on the other hand, if 
the tops are simply taken otf, and the rods placed, as far as prac- 
ticable, in a horizontal position, laterals bearing flowers will push 
from nearly every bud, and a grand display of colour be the result. 
CULTIVATION OF HAIIDV FERNS UNDER GLASS. 
BT J. JAMES, 
Head Gardener, Eedlees, laleworth, W. 
HE outdoor fernery may be justly considered the proper 
place for the cultivation of British and hardy exotic 
ferns, but they are so exceedingly beautiful when grown 
under glass, that a collection should be grown indoors 
in all gardens where room can be found for them. In 
point of beauty, the fine varieties of the Lady Fern, the ilale Fern, 
the Hart’s Tongue, and the typical Polystichiums are unsurpassed 
by any of the exotic species, and, moreover, they can be most 
successfully cultivated without the assistance of any artificial heat, 
which at this moment is a matter of considerable importance. They, 
therefore, have special claims upon the attention of the amateur 
with limited means, and I will as briefly as possible point out the 
way by which they can be most successfully cultivated. 
In the first place, it must be said that there are two ways of 
growing hardy ferns under glass ; one, planting them out on a well- 
prepared rockery, and the other in pots. They certainly have a very 
attractive appearance when judiciously planted on a rockery, but 
for the amateur it will, perhaps, be more desirable to cultivate them 
in pots. By having them in pots it will be practicable to fill the 
house with other hardy plants, if it is unheated during the winter 
and spring, for the ferns maybe wintered out of doors, provided they 
are placed in a sheltered corner, and protected from severe frosts 
by means of liberal coverings of long litter or the common dry fern. 
Protection of some kind is absolutely necessary to prevent the frost 
splitting the pots, and possibly injuring the roots by reason of the 
manner in which they will be exposed to it. A goodly collection 
may be grown in a deep frame or pit, but it is more desirable to have 
them in a span-roof or lean-to house of medium size, because of the 
greater facility with which they can be inspected and attended to. 
In either case the structure should be on the north side of a wall or 
building, so that the plants may enjoy the fullest exposure to the 
light without the possibility of the sun injuring them. It will also 
be less difficult to maintain a cool and moist atmosphere about them 
in the hottest weather. They can, of course, with the assistance of 
shading materials, be grown in span-roof houses occupying exposed 
positions or lean-to’s, having other aspects than the north, but the 
north aspect is decidedly preferable. 
