8 
THE FERNS OF SOUTH AFRICA 
adventitious roots along the stem to allow it to start life 
again, but in such case it is not an uncommon occurrence 
for a stem to throw out its first set of new fronds and stand 
through the summer from the vitality left in the stem, but to 
die thereafter through having formed an insufficient new root- 
system to keep it going on. 
As with other ferns, a sporeling plant with fronds not 
more than six inches high is the best foundation to start 
from, but that takes time to make an eight foot stem. This 
fern does beautifully in cultivation, especially if planted out in 
a moist shady border, away from hot winds ; it is usually one 
-of the prize plants in collections of native ferns at shows, and 
it is sometimes exported, the stems fetching a fair price in 
Europe, and standing the journey well while dormant. 
C, Dregei is the only South African species, but very 
considerable variations occur in batches of sporelings in one 
stream, apparently all from one parentage, probably due to 
individual variation only. 
HEMITELIA CAPENSIS. — This is another tree fern, with 
slender stems three to four inches diameter and up to eight 
feet in height, surmounted by a most graceful crown of long 
arching fronds. Unlike Cyathea, this species is confined to 
the moist, damp situations along streams inside dense forest, 
and is never found out in the open. This, of course, gives a 
clue to treatment, for unless a moist atmosphere is constantly 
maintained it is seldom a success in culture. And still, under 
greenhouse or shadehouse treatment very beautiful specimens 
are occasionally met with, especially if planted out beside 
a trickling stream. This species should not be removed from 
the forest except when dormant during winter; the roots 
should be taken along with the stem, and the fronds may 
be cut off at once as they hardly ever remain good. 
Though this fern occurs in the moister forests throughout 
South Africa, it is much less abundant than Cyathea, and in 
cultivation it is less common and usually less successful, 
through absence of moisture. Hot wind kills it, frost kills 
it, bright sunshine is fatal, and even moderately dry conditions 
