8 
GENERAL HINTS ON FERN CULTURE. 
tlie pots are placed. If this is not attended to, especially when the stages are of stone or slate, the 
quantity of water necessarily thrown over them, in order to keep up the atmospheric moisture, is apt 
to produce an injurious chilliness about the roots, sometimes fatal to the more delicate kinds. The 
hardy species, as already mentioned, do not require artificial heat. The greenhouse species merely 
require to be preserved from frost in winter, or, say in a temperature of 40°, increased to 50° and 
60° in spring. For the stove species an average night temperature of 55° to 60°, and day temperature 
of 65° to 70°, is proper in the winter months ; the temperature in the rest of the year averaging 65° at 
night, and from 70° to 80° by day. 
Of atmospheric moisture Ferns need an abundant and almost unvarying supply during the entire 
period of their growth ; in fact, the atmosphere should almost constantly be kept at nearly the point 
«f saturation. During the winter season, when all the higher groups of plants are less active in their 
growth, the degree of moisture may be properly limited, especially as it regards any kinds which may 
be of deciduous habit; but when growing Ferns are sought to be kept in health and vigour, the 
amount of moisture kept up must always be considerable. This large amount of moisture being 
necessary, it is desirable to provide in Fern-houses a large amount of evaporating surface, composed 
of some porous material that will readily absorb moisture. It is a good plan to employ a false 
flooring of wooden trelliswork, so that the actual floor may be frequently flooded, without rendering 
the pathways inconveniently wet. Ferns should also be lightly syringed twice daily, except during 
a continuance of very dull weather : indeed, oftener in hot weather will be beneficial. 
Though scarcely any Ferns thrive in a constantly wet soil, yet they are generally injured by being 
suffered to get dry at the root. Indeed, with some of the more fickle kinds this is certain destruction. 
During all the time they are growing, therefore, they should have a free supply of water at the root, 
taking care that the soil never becomes soddened. If this is seen to be the case, the plant should at 
once be repotted, so that its drainage may be corrected. When the plants are dormant, less water 
is necessary. 
The Water Fern [Ceratopteris thalictr aides) is an exception to the case just named. This, after 
being potted, should be set in water of sufficient depth to cover the pot in which it is planted. 
Under these conditions, and supplied with a tropical temperature, it grows vigorously, producing 
abundance of sporules, from which it may be increased. A simple mode of propagating this species, 
however, is afforded by the proliferous buds which are developed numerously on the old fronds. 
Young plants from this source should be secured towards the close of summer, and kept in small pots 
placed in feeders of water ; and these, if shifted into fresh soil in spring, and set in warm water, will 
soon ju’oduce fertile fronds. 
When Ferns are grown in pots, and have become well established, the majority of them like to 
have plenty of pot room, provided the pots are well drained. Thus a plant of a free-growing kind, 
bearing fronds of a foot or so in length, may have a pot nearly or quite a foot in diameter ; and so 
in proportion to the size of the plants, provided always that excess is not indulged in, and that when 
any appearance of overpotting is observed it is speedily remedied. 
Ferns are less attacked by insects than most other plants, but they are sometimes infested by one of 
the large species of coccus, which spreads rapidly, and if suffered to accumulate is very troublesome 
to remove, and renders the plants filthy and unsightly. Some of the tender-foliaged kinds are some- 
times attacked by green-fly, which are to be destroyed, as soon as perceived, by fumigation with 
tobacco, which is also the best method of destroying the thrip, which is apt to infest the hardier 
sorts when they are placed in a high temperature, and, if too dry an atmosphere is maintained, 
sometimes spreads over a collection, and occasions much annoyance. 
Ferns are propagated by division or by their spores. Some increase very readily, and others only 
with the greatest unwillingness. All the creeping-stemmed species are increased without difficulty, 
by detaching portions of the caudex or rhizome furnished with fronds and roots, and placing them in a 
close frame, after potting them, until they are established. Some of the ferns of this habit, however, 
which prefer to adhere to the surface of damp stone, or the bark of wood rather than to be potted in 
