CULTIVATION IN GREENHOUSES. 
31 
niums, and other exotics. In a greenhouse of moderate 
temperature, kept only a few degrees above freezing- 
point in winter, and left to nature’s means of heating in 
summer, many rare and beautiful ferns will flourish 
luxuriantly. Anothef claim that the ferns may plead 
in seeking a place in the greenhouse is that while the 
winter refugees crowd the house, the fronds of the ferns 
are dying down, and they are going into their dormant 
state, so they may be stowed away under the stages or 
in any corner, so that they are kept reasonably warm ; 
then, when the fine May weather tempts out shoals of 
half-hardy plants to adorn the garden, the ferns are 
welcome on the shelves, and their graceful fronds im- 
proving in size and beauty with each day’s light, become 
continually more welcome in the partially-deserted house. 
The compost in which to pot ferns should be com- 
posed of fibry peat, leaf-mould, and silver-sand, some 
species requiring an admixture of broken mortar from 
old buildings, some needing the addition of charcoal, 
and some again of the sphagnum moss. 
The potting should take place in spring, when the 
young fronds are beginning to push forth. Let the 
pots be well washed, if old ; if new, well soaked. Till a 
third part of the pot with potsherds, the first broken 
into large pieces, the rest as small as peas; then lay a 
stratum of broken sandstone and of charcoal broken 
the size of filberts; then fill to the top with the com- 
post. Let all the potting be done at once, and no 
plant kept longer in a cold draught of air than is abso- 
lutely necessary. At the time of potting remove all de- 
cayed or decaying fronds and dead roots. Do not fill 
the pots to the brim, but leave room enough to hold 
sufficient water thoroughly to wet the ball of earth 
