32 
THE FERNS OF SOUTH AFRICA 
in fresh swamp, and L. clavatum grows if hot winds are 
excluded. 
Equisetum grows easily in moist ground, Marsilia in ponds 
or wet mud, and Isoetes in or close to standing water. 
The raising of ferns from spores is an interesting hobby 
requiring patience and close attention. Although spores will 
germinate in the most unlikely places on their own account, 
they require suitable conditions under culture, these conditions 
usually being a moist site and cool moist atmosphere, or in 
the case of tropical ferns a warm humid atmosphere. The 
exclusion of hot wind is necessary, and the required conditions 
are best met inside a glass frame, and even then it is well to 
use a pot and to cover that with a piece of glass, wiping the 
glass daily to prevent drip from condensation falling among 
the spores. Inside the pot give sufficient drainage of broken 
bricks, above which the dust made of broken bricks makes a 
good soil, retaining moisture well and not getting too wet. 
Never water overhead, but stand the pot in a saucer of water. 
After germination it is well to admit a little air by raising the 
covering glass on one side, and gradually to increase the 
ventilation as young fronds appear showing that fertilisation 
has been accomplished. After that the plantlets are ready to 
pot off separately as soon as they are fit to handle. 
For soil they are not very particular. Leaf-mould is of 
course best, but in the absence of that, good loam, loam and 
sand, loam and well-rotted tan refuse, or well rotted stable 
litter, brick dust, or almost any other soil which does not 
contain clay, iron-gravel, or kraal manure will do. For pot 
culture, earthenware pans, or pots, where procurable, are best, 
but tins answer the purpose equally well if properly drained. 
This drainage is managed by driving several holes through 
the bottom of the tin, above this place a layer two inches 
deep of broken bricks, then a thin layer of moss or fallen 
tree leaves, and above that the soil. In English nurseries 
broken flower pots are used for covering the holes, and they 
are certainly the best thing, but in S. Africa they are too 
expensive, and bricks answer nearly as well. 
