Cultivation of Greenhouse and Stove Ferns. 101 
ment both in heated houses as in cool ferneries and the 
open air. The gold and silver ferns, such as gymno- 
grammas, are for the most part highly susceptible of 
injury through excess of water, especially when ad- 
ministered by means of the syringe. All the tree ferns 
such as Dicksonias require abundant supplies of water, 
especially over their ample fronds. Most of the kinds 
which have thick succulent leaves, such as Niphobolus, 
require drier positions if planted out, and extra careful 
drainage if in pots, than others that are of flimsy 
texture. 
The cultivator must be careful to regulate heat and 
moisture in such a manner as to ensure to the plants 
regularly recurring seasons of activity and rest. When 
new growth commences in spring there should be a 
gradual augmentation of temperature and humidity to 
afford needful stimulus and support. When in autumn 
growth should naturally cease, the supplies of heat and 
moisture should be diminished ; and during the winter 
rest should be promoted by keeping the house as cool 
and dry as is consistent with safety. It is bad policy 
to expose ferns to hardships, such as deferring the 
lighting of a fire until the fronds are actually frozen or 
mildew has marred their beauty, for the next season's 
growth is jeopardised by such treatment, and some 
valuable plants may be lost entirely. At the same time 
the cultivator may take comfortable assurance from the 
fact that the majority of this class of plants are exceed- 
ingly accommodating ; they will at times bear without 
material injury more damp, more draught, more sun- 
shine, and lower degrees of temperature than a prudent 
