BRITISH FERNS. 
149 
would also direct attention, to tlie constitutional dependence of 
the former upon the latter, under all circumstances. Fruits of 
all kinds possess an organization which enables them to draw 
nutrition from the surrounding parts of the plants on which they 
grow, but the greater part of this food requires to be duly and 
properly prepared, before it enters the tissue of the fruit; and 
this function is performed by the leaves alone; and when from 
any cause they are so far distant, or by disease are incapable of 
supplying it, the fruit dwindles and dies, a familiar instance of 
which is found in peaches produced on branches destitute of 
leaves. The perfection of a fruit undoubtedly depends on the 
amount of proper food it receives, and as this is derived from the 
leaves, it follows that the presence of healthy foliage in its imme¬ 
diate vicinity is essential to its existence, and more especially in 
the earlier stages of its progress, when, from the accumulations 
constantly going on, a large proportion of aliment is required. 
It is, however, to be thought of, the secretions of a fruit undergo 
a great change as it progresses to maturity, especially in those of 
a succulent nature: the immediate cause of which is heat and 
light; through their agency sugar is formed, and hence the sweet 
flavour for which most fruits are esteemed. By this theory we 
should preserve the leaves, as far as may be consistent with a 
regard to the proper distribution of sap among all parts of the 
tree, while the fruit continues in a growing state, thinning them 
only when the ripening process begins ; a matter worth the con¬ 
sideration of those who are about to dress their vines upon open 
walls.] 
THE CULTURE OF BRITISH FERNS. 
The impulse given to the adoption of these elegant plants by 
the prizes offered at the metropolitan exhibitions, has already had 
the effect to set many persons earnestly at work collecting and 
cultivating them; the practice of one who has had them in 
charge for a long period may consequently be useful just now, 
and is offered the more readily, from a recollection of the many 
ineffectual attempts to grow some of the rarer kinds in the earlier 
days of my experience. Many who begin the pursuit, imagine 
