Cultivation of Greenhouse and Stove Ferns . 103 
bulk to be used in a rather lumpy state. For very 
robust habited sorts of large growth the compost should 
consist of two parts loam, one part peat, and one of 
sand, with a liberal addition all through of broken 
brick or tile of the size of walnuts or hazel-nuts. 
Ferns that require a drier soil than ordinary should 
have a compost containing more sand, less loam, and 
the addition of a considerable proportion of pounded 
bricks or charcoal. 
No particular kind of pots is necessary for the 
cultivation of stove and greenhouse ferns, but, as a 
rule, they do not root deeply, and shallow pots are to 
be preferred. Those we use for specimens are made 
for us by Messrs. Adams, of the Potteries, Belle Isle, 
King's Cross ; they are extra stout in substance, care- 
fully finished, and well burnt, and in proportions wider 
than their depth. A favorite size with us for medium 
specimens is thirteen inches wide (inside), and nine 
inches deep. In these we allow our specimens to remain 
two or three, and even four or five years, without being 
repotted, though, as a rule, all pot ferns should be re- 
potted annually in February or March, both to repair 
the defects of the drainage and remove effete soil, and 
supply fresh food for maintaining a vigorous growth. 
In every case thorough drainage is of the utmost im- 
portance, and no progress can be made in fern culture 
unless the operator pays especial attention to this 
matter. As for whatever else may be requisite to 
crown your labours with success, I will endeavour in 
what follows to indicate as clearly as I can, but it is 
very certain I shall leave unsaid much that might be 
