FERN COLLECTING 
IOI 
supply the place of those removed. Where a tour is made in 
search of small specimens of Ferns, it is best, after wrapping 
moss — which is generally to he found in the neighbourhood 
of Ferns — around each little root, to pack together — root side 
by side with root — the whole of the specimens. If a 
moist wrapper be then placed round them, they will keep 
fresh for days, and even for weeks, if occasionally looked at 
and sprinkled with water. If a quantity of reed straw be 
taken with the collector on a Fern-hunting excursion, it will 
be possible to preserve the fronds of the larger species 
by putting the reeds on the ground in a line with the 
direction of the fronds, and rolling them round the mass of 
roots and tying them in that position. In this way the tops 
of the reeds standing out around the fronds will protect them 
from injury until they are safely disposed of in the garden 
at home. In many instances reeds may be found for this 
purpose near the places where the Ferns are growing. Tn 
collecting the rock-loving species of Ferns, it is desirable, 
when possible, to detach a little portion of the rock, so as to 
avoid tearing off the rootlets of the plant. 
One important object in Fern collecting should always be 
kept in mind. Before removing a plant from its home, the 
soil in which it is growing, its position as to shade or shelter, 
and the manner in which it has fastened itself to sloping 
bank, to tree-fork, or to rifted rock, should be carefully noted ; 
and the cultivator should then endeavour as nearly as possible 
to provide similar conditions of growth under cultivation. 
In this way many curious and beautiful lessons will be learned 
from the teachings of Nature. 
H 2 
