68 
The Fern Garden . 
rage a new growth. The principle is the same in 
every case, but as different classes of ferns differ in 
constitution, so the practice must be varied to suit 
them. 
In every case of multiplying by division it must be 
borne in mind that the operation severely taxes the 
energies of the plants, hence the need of extra care for 
some time afterwards to restore their vigour. The 
soil in which small offsets are potted may with advan- 
tage contain more sand than strong plants require, and 
it may be quite fine in texture, whereas for strong 
plants it is best somewhat lumpy. So, again, extra 
warmth and occasional damping of the crowns, and a 
humid atmosphere with shade from sunshine, are aids 
of great importance. Begin with cheap hardy kinds, 
and take as much pains with them as you would with the 
most tender and costly, and you will enjoy the work, 
be rewarded with success, and acquire experience for 
higher flights in a most amusing pastime. 
“ If at first you don't succeed, 
Try, try, try again.” 
Now for the spores ; and first by way of preface. The 
spores of tropical or hothouse ferns must be placed 
in heat or they will not germinate. The spores of 
greenhouse ferns may be raised in summer time without 
the aid of artificial heat, but it is a safer plan to put 
them into a propagating house and treat them the same 
as the tropical kinds until the little plants resulting from 
their germination have made some progress. As for 
the spores of hardy ferns, they may be raised in a 
frame kept close and shaded 
