ADIANTUM. 11 
stove, with a high temperature, will produce fronds of 
magnitude equal to those from the south of Europe or 
Madeira, with which they are precisely identical. 
The best way to cultivate it is to keep it as a pot 
plant ; and the pots should be always placed in pans, 
and the pans should be nearly always supplied with 
water, whether in the stove, greenhouse, frame, or 
window. Whenever the pots or pans become foul, or 
the smell of stagnant water is perceptible, withhold the 
water for a day or two, and let the pots containing the 
plants be nicely washed, and the pans too. This should 
be attended to particularly at all times. Old, well- 
established plants, thus attended to, will stand and 
flourish in the same pots for many years undisturbed. 
Occasionally remove all decayed fronds from the plant. 
If one season is better than another, the month of 
April is the best time for potting or dividing this Fern, 
as it is readily increased by division. The best soil 
for it is lime-rubbish, sandy-peat, and pebbles, in equal 
proportions. The pots should be always thoroughly 
drained, using broken potsherds for this purpose, with a 
little moss over, to prevent the earth from getting in 
among the drainage. The little root fibres seem to 
delight in finding their way among the broken crocks. 
USES. In the days of the old herbalists the true 
Maiden-hair Fern was considered not only efficacious 
in many diseases, but especially potent in promoting 
length of tresses, and to this attributed power it owes 
its name, both among the Latins and the moderns. So 
succulent are the leaves, that under strong pressure 
