102 CYSTOPTEIIIS ALPINA. 
sandy loam, one of leaf-mould, and one of very finely- 
broken sandstone ; or, in default of this, old mortar 
broken fine, with a little silver-sand added, and good 
drainage. Great points in potting these small species 
of Fern are the state of the compost, and the way it is 
mixed and used. It should be of a nice dampness. 
In mixing, it should not be rubbed too intimately to- 
gether, but should be handled carelessly, as it were, 
and the plants potted firmly, in most cases, and if used 
in this state, and the plants are placed in a rather con- 
fined temperature, very little water must be given until 
they begin to emit new roots, which will not be long 
first, if the plant is in a healthy state ; and even if it is 
not in sound health, the withholding of the water-pot 
from it will do it more good than the application of it. 
The moisture in the compost will be sufficient for the 
roots until fresh ones are formed, and the moist atmo- 
sphere will help to supply the fronds. When planted 
in the rockwork a similar compost may be used. 
"Each of the species would make a nice plant for a 
Wardian case, I should think. I have grown DicJeieana 
under a bell-glass for a considerable time, and I have a 
specimen of Fragilis by me that I grew in a close tem- 
perature, but Dickieana and Alpina objected to heat 
more than Fragilis." 
