POLYPODIUM ALPESTRE. 205 
tains by Mr. Backhouse, who observes that Athyrium 
Jili-x-fcemina accompanies it up as high as from 2,000 to 
3,000 feet ; but from the latter height, up to 4,000 feet, 
Pohjpodium alpestre is alone. 
Mr. W. Reeve informs us that Polypodium alpestre is 
well worthy of cultivation, for, when successfully grown, 
it is erect, yet elegant. It requires a well-drained com- 
post, composed of fibry peat two parts, and fine loam 
and leaf-mould equalised to form the other two parts, 
with an admixture of silver sand and freestone crocks, or 
some such porous substance, broken very small. The 
plants in pots must have a good drainage, and be kept 
moist during the growing season, and gradually dried 
oft' and ripened as winter approaches, when they will 
require a slight protection ; to be either shifted into 
larger pots or deep pans in the spring, or to be parted 
and placed in smaller pots. If cultivated on rockwork, 
or in any fixed situation, care must be taken to procure 
a thorough drainage. In any case, if the drainage is 
bad, the plant will not thrive. It must be planted 
firmly upon a shallow supply of the above-named 
compost. This, with a few pieces of porous stone or 
old mortar laid about the surface, will be beneficial. 
It prefers an open situation, but does not like the rays 
of the sun much. If these directions are followed, and 
a moderate supply of water given overhead during the 
growing season, success may be expected. It may be 
grown well in a greenhouse where it can have plenty of 
light, and it can be propagated by division. 
