CULTIVATION. 
391 
sandstone broken small, or (if peat cannot be pro- 
cured) good light loam. Having proceeded so far, 
two systems of planting the case present themselves. 
The first plan is to plant in the soil, which should be 
raised in the centre ; the number of plants will 
depend on the size of the box, and care must be 
taken not to plant them in too crowded a manner, 
the distance apart depending on the size and nature 
of the plants, but in no case should they be closer 
than six inches. The second method is to have the 
plants established in 4 to 6-inch pots, plunging them 
in the soil sufficiently deep to hide the rims of the 
pots. The last system has one decided advantage, 
namely, should a plant die or does not succeed, it can 
be removed and replaced -without disturbing its 
neighbour. It must be understood that the above 
mode of planting relates to plants with erect verna- 
tion only, but those with creeping rhizomes, that form 
csespitose tufts, require to be planted each on a 
separately raised hillock, of which, if the case is large, 
there may be a series, and for the creeping Hymeno- 
phylla lumps of porous stone are very suitable ; fine 
patches may be obtained in this way, not only of 
Hymenophylla, but also of the smaller species of 
Nipliobolus, Ancipeltls , the beautiful Humata pinnati- 
fida , Davallia pentaphylla, and others of like habit. 
After the Ferns are planted, some small-growing- 
Selacjinella, such as S. apus, may be pricked in over 
the surface of the soil, in pieces a few inches apart, 
which will soon cover it, and give to the whole a neat 
and finished appearance, and also materially assist 
in maintaining the proper state of moisture in the air 
of the case and about the plants. The planting being- 
