144 
LASTR2EA CRISTATA. 
Mr. W. Reeve gives us the following directions for its 
cultivation:— 
“ The Laitraa cristata is a very usefu' plant for 
adorning the moist, shady parts of the rockery and 
shrubbery, as well as for growing in pots for a collection 
of hardy Ferns; but it is not so beautiful as some other 
species. When once established, it very shortly becomes 
free in its growth and low in appearauce. Those who 
wish to grow it as a pot-plant must drain well the 
pot, and give the plants a compost of loam and peat 
(fibry), equal parts, with a free admixture of silver sand ; 
and plenty of room will be required as the plant in¬ 
creases in size. It prefers being grown in a damp, 
shady situation, and a cool rather than a hot situa¬ 
tion. When grown in a high temperature, the un¬ 
folding fronds become long and weak, and it loses its 
beauty, and oftentimes damps quite off, or dwindles 
away. 
“ It is well adapted for damp, shady places, the shaded 
part of a rockery included, where it will grow very well 
in a compost of loam and peat, with a little grit (fine 
stones or small crooks) mixed with it; and both in this, 
and also under pot-oulturo, it will require a moderate 
supply of water and frequeut syringing. 
“ It may be increased by sowing the ripe fructification 
(which will be in that state by the latter end of summer) 
in shallow pans filled with charcoal, lumps of peat, 
sandstone, and loam, and placed in a damp pit, and 
shaded closely from sunshine, and the seedlings to be 
prioked off in the same manner as directed for former 
