89 
that each portion has a frond or two on it, and some fibrous 
roots. They should be set in loose soil made of sand, bog 
earth, and leaf mould. No great depth of this earth is 
required, neither much watering, as these are air plants, 
chiefly deriving nutriment from the air. Such also grow well 
if suspended on blocks of wood, covered with damp moss, 
in a warm atmosphere, or if placed in little chip mossy baskets 
full of chinks, they force their way through in an elegant 
and graceful manner. In the winter they should have still 
less water than in the summer. The Polypody is almost 
the only Pern of the Axe having a creeping root-stock, 
which is suitable for such a mode of growth. If a similar 
attempt be made with the Brake, a young plant must be 
selected, and the root-stock must be cut short every autumn. 
The Spinous Fern will not thrive under such management, 
as it bears a great resemblance in character to the other 
Shield Perns. If the root-stock have a crown,* it should 
be narrowly examined whether there is more than one tuft 
or crown. If there are, then the knife must be applied, and 
the plant so separated that each separate part should retain 
a portion of the roots. Care must be taken not to cover 
the crowns, w^hich is certain death to the plant. This 
requires a deeper soil, and more frequent watering. The 
spring season, just before its vital properties are resumed, 
is best adapted for such operations. 
3. It has been noticed, pages 70 and 71, that some indi- 
genous Perns produce bulbs. This happens more frequently 
in Exotics. These may be taken off and placed in pots 
with the other requisites, and earth prepared similarly to 
what was required for sowing. Little plants soon rise 
resembling the parents from which they are taken. As it 
is a great rarity to meet with a bulb-bearing wildling, any 
further observation on this mode of culture is unnecessary. 
4. Others root from the tip of their fronds. As the old 
laurel is made to produce a young one by having its shoots 
pinned down and a layer formed, so some of the Spleen worts 
and other Perns will grow if the tip of the fronds are fixed 
near the soil. The division of these must be done most 
carefully. Very seldom are fine specimens obtained by such 
* Root-stocks are said to have a crown when the Ferns grow in tufts or shuttle- 
cock fashion. 
