67 
The Art of Multiplying Ferns . 
say,, then, be sure before you begin that you know 
what you ought to do. If you cannot see how to 
divide a plant without spoiling it because it neither 
offers you offsets, nor a crown large enough to be 
severed without danger, leave it alone, be content and 
wait. The habits of different species must be observed 
also if the cultivator would become expert in propa- 
gating. Take for example Onoclea sensibilis , a charming 
flowering fern for a damp place in a rockery out of 
doors or under glass, which I hope you will obtain at 
the first opportunity, if you do not already possess it. 
Now, this fern propagates itself; that is to say, the 
rhizoma runs along near the surface, and at some 
distance from the parent plant throws up several dis- 
tinct crowns. Leave the plant alone for a couple of 
seasons and it will be surrounded by, or rather it will 
consist of, a number of separate centres of growth 
forming a large rich mass of vegetation. You may 
divide this into as many pieces as you please, provided 
each piece has its own centre and tuft of roots, and 
make plants of them all with patience aided by shade 
and moisture. Take on the other hand a potted 
Gleichenia that has been in the same pot two or three 
years, and you will find it dead in the centre, but all 
round next the pot will be a series of crowns. Care- 
fully knock it out of the pot, lay it on its side, pass 
the knife through it, separate the pieces and shake 
from them the old worn-out soil and pot as before ; 
but in this case put the plant into a warm pit or 
some other place where it can have a temperature of 
60 to 70° with shade and a humid atmosphere, to encou- 
