HINTS ON THE CULTIVATION OF FERNS. 
107 
Ferns, there are many North American and Japanese species now available for intermixture, giving 
a greater variety of foliage for the hardy fernery. Once made, very little attention is afterwards 
required ; they will be benefited by being watered occasionally, especially in the summer months. 
A protection of old fronds or other material placed over the crowns in the autumn will enable the 
more tender varieties to bear the severity of our winters, but the protection must be removed in 
the spring, when the young fronds begin to grow. 
FERN STANDS AND WARDIAN CASES. 
There are many lovers of Ferns who, living in towns, have no convenience for cultivating them in 
a rockery, and who yet desire to have them. To such we would recommend a fernery on a small scale, 
from a rustic stand 8 or 9 inches in diameter, with a propagating glass to cover the plants, to the 
larger and more commodious Wardian or Fern case of from 2 to 3 feet in length. 
There are many varieties suitable for these cases, which with a little care and attention will 
yield great pleasure. Having procured a stand and glass, or case, soil properly prepared as 
recommended previously, and Ferns, place drainage at the bottom as in pot culture, cover with 
moss or leaves, put in the soil, plant the Ferns, keeping the tallest for the centre, intersperse a 
little Selaginella which will spread and cover the surface, then water gently till the soil is thoroughly 
damp, and put on the glass or close the case whichever it may be ; place them as near the 
window as possible, to get plenty of light, but protect them from the sun, if they stand at 
a window through which it shines. They will not require watering again for some time, but 
when the surface gets dry, they should be watered gently as before to the extent required. After a 
case has been planted a year or two, it should have fresh soil put in, which will necessitate clearing it 
out and replanting the Ferns as at first, after which they will again grow with renewed vigour. The 
best time for replanting is in spring. Should the glass become dim through the condensation of 
moisture upon it, a little ventilation may be given. 
Filmy Ferns are especially suitable for the close atmosphere of the Wardian case and fern 
stand, and are exceedingly lovely when so cultivated. These may be watered overhead, but others 
should have their foliage kept dry as possible. 
FERNS FOR ROOMS. 
Ferns are often kept in dwelling-houses without glasses or cases, but owing to the dryness of 
the atmosphere they cannot possibly grow so well as when in a damper place. They, however, succeed 
for a time, and are useful for table decoration, also for placing before the window, where they grow 
better, live longer, and look prettier than any flowering plant that can be obtained. They must be 
regularly supplied with water, the fronds now and again being gently sponged with clear tepid 
water to remove the dust which accumulates on them. The same may be said of these as of those 
in the greenhouse, only water when requisite, then give plenty, using water as warm as the 
room where the plants are growing. If these matters are attended to, they will do much towards 
enlivening and beautifying the room. Some species are very much more suitable than others for 
rooms. We are always pleased to advise in choice of sorts, when the kind of situation for which 
they are required is made known to us. 
INSECTS. 
Wherever growing. Ferns are subject to the attacks of Insects. These are “scale,” which look like 
small stationary protuberances, but which nevertheless multiply and spread rapidly, doing much 
injury. These must be picked or sponged off, clearing the plant of every one, using warm water, in 
which is dissolved soft soap in the proportion of 2oz. to a gallon. This is a cheap, simple, and 
efficacious insecticide. Next come “ Thrips,” small, thin, black insects, about xV of an inch long 
(white when young). These are very destructive ; they soon disfigure the plants upon which they live, 
attacking those that are in poor health, quickly making them worse ; plants growing in too warm a 
temperature are often attacked, as they are not then so strong and healthy as when cooler. The best 
remedy is to examine the plants so infested, pick the insects off one by one, and then sponge or 
syringe the plants with clear water. An easier method, where many plants are infested, is to 
fumigate the house three or four times on alternate nights with tobacco paper, not giving too strong 
a dose at once, as it is liable to injure the young fronds ; this will also destroy another pest, “ green 
fly,” which is almost sure to make its appearance sooner or later, but fortunately is easily disposed of 
by any of the above methods. 
Besides the above there are also several 
OTHER PESTS 
which prove very troublesome to thecultivator of Ferns, the well-known “cockroach ” or “ black beetle ” 
being a great enemy, with which we may class “ crickets ” and “ woodlice.” As these usually come 
out of their hiding places at night, at which time they feed on the young fronds, diligent search must 
be made for them by candle or lamp light, at the same time keeping a look-out for slugs and snails, 
which are equally if not more destructive than the preceding. It is almost useless attempting to 
find these in the daytime, but an hour or two after dark they are generally easy to find. 
In addition to the above mode of eradication, poison may be laid for the beetles, or beetle- 
powder may be used as recommended by the different makers. For woodlice, traps may be laid, 
