4 
THE AUSTRALIAN GARDENER. 
Fern Culture. 
FERN CULTURE is a subject far tco extensive to 
be treated in anything like a comprehensive 
manner in an essay such as this, so I will not 
attempt to go into the matter fully, but will 
take up that portion relating to greenhouse 
culture, which, I think, will be of more interest 
‘to the majority here. 
Propagation by Spores. : 
The raising of ferns from spores is at once the 
easiest and most convenient method of increase 
with varieties that adapt themselves to this 
means of propagation. This-with some of the 
varieties requires strict observation and some 
little experience to catch them just at the proper 
stage. Though as a general ripeness is indi- 
cated by the sori-turning brown or beginning 
to shake off, some of the genera, notably the 
dayallias, shake their spores much more readily 
than others, and the inexperienced are often apt 
to delay too long and gather, instead of ripe 
spores, fronds with butempty cells. The fronds 
when gathered should be wrapped closely in 
paper and laid in a dry, warm place for a week 
ortwo until thoroughly dry, after which the 
spores can be readily shaken off. The general 
opinion is, that the sooner they are sown after 
being thoroughly ripened the better; and 
DecempeR 5, 1905 
although not usually necessary nor practical 
to keep them for any length of time, I have 
sown spores of Pteris tremula that had been 
wrapped in paper for 2 years with satisfactory 
results. : 
_ Another somewhat difficult matter is to pro- 
cure sports of the individual varieties true or 
unnixed. Fern spores are of such a light 
nature that the least breath of air will carry them 
all over the house, the spores of one variety 
finding lodgment on the fronds of another. I 
have sown spores from -adiantum fronds and 
reaped instead of adiantums an_ excellent 
crop of pteris where the spores had got mixed in 
this way; the adiantums spores were there 
all right, but the pteris being the stronger grow- 
ing and quicker germinating variety it wasa 
simply a case of the survival of the fittest. The 
lesson thus learned is to keep the varieties by 
themselves and as far away from others as 
possible for some time previous to the selection 
of spore fronds. 
Preparing the Seed Pans. 
The next thing is the preparation of the seed 
pans. These should be thoroughly cleaned to 
insure that no germs of moss or fungus are left 
lodging around. A great deal of what is known 
as damping off has its originfrom this source, 
being the work of a minute fungus. Fill the 
pans about one-third full with crocks, larger 
ones in the bottom and those on the top finely 
broken; over this place a layer of moss, then: 
fill to within an inch and a half of the top with: 
the ordinary potting soil. Over this place half 
an inch of soil, which has been subjected toa 
baking process long enough to kill all vegetable 
init. This insures against the growth of moss,. 
which, in nnbaked soil, would be more rapid than 
that of the ferns and prove a source of consider- 
able trouble. This baking of the soil was at one- 
time one of the secrets of fern cultivation, but. 
it is now pretty generally practiced, The sur- 
face soil in the pan should be pressed down and 
made as smooth as possible. A good soaking of 
water should be given and allowed jto drain off 
before sswing the spores. Sow these thinly, 
very thinly. The spores being very minute, it 
isan easy matter to sow too thickly without. 
being aware of it. Don’t cover the spores, but 
leave them on the surface of the soil; and place 
over the pan a close-fitting pane of glass. The 
glass must be turned frequently to prevent the 
moisture from dripping, which would throw the: 
spores all into little bunches. Water must 
be given from the top, but the pan should be. 
set in a saucer which should always be kept full. 
and from which snfficient moisture will be 
drawn 
The best place to start the spores is in a close 
atmnsphere, in a bottom heat of from 60 
to 65 degrees, Shade should be provided 
during the day, but should be removed when 
the sun is not shining directly on the house. In, 
ners rt 
Se ersnar at e 
