152 
BRITISH FERNS. 
in such a situation, with the assistance of the awning before 
mentioned, all but the most tender kinds may be grown with 
success. Exceptions, however, will be found in such as Hymen - 
ophyllum, Trichomanes , &c., which, from their delicate organization, 
require more nursing ; they will not bear the ordinary fluctuations 
of the atmosphere when in cultivation, and it is then necessary to 
cover them with glasses. The beautiful Cryptogramma crispct 
requires to be thus managed, and if potted in half-rotten sphagnum 
and peat, grows with rapidity; species of this description may be 
stationed in front of the larger kinds, and when shadowed by the 
broad fronds of a Polypodium or Lastrea , and supplied with a 
close humid atmosphere by means of the glass, are as well 
situated as we can devise; much care, however, is necessary to 
preserve them in health and secure a full development, and it 
will be well to remove the glasses occasionally as the season 
advances, that the new parts may have an opportunity in a some¬ 
what drier air of attaining the requisite maturity. A good plan 
with all the larger kinds, is to cover the surface of the soil in 
which they grow with green moss or some lycopodium; this adds 
to their beauty, and preserves the earth from drying too quickly. 
Kept in the manner described, it will be found they do not 
require so much watering as many persons suppose necessary; 
in fact, I w r ould rather depend on an aqueous atmosphere, than 
on the water poured into the soil, as I am convinced they imbibe 
a great proportion of their nourishment through the fronds,— 
by neglecting this point, many failures arise. 
Their winter treatment is of the simplest kind, for with the 
exception of the small delicate kinds before mentioned, and such 
as resemble them in habit, the whole may be kept securely, if 
the pots are buried in leaves. In October, when the fronds have 
all died back, cut them down and stand the pots at the foot of 
a north w r all, taking the precaution to lay a thick bed of loose 
cinders for the pots to stand on, and throw over the whole dry 
leaves to a depth of nearly a foot; here they will remain dormant 
till the succeeding spring, when they may be brought out, and 
treated as before recommended ; the tender kinds are best kept 
through the winter in the greenhouse or a good pit, a dry and 
airy situation being then necessary. 
There are are about forty species besides varieties, natives of 
