The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1876-04-04
THE FARM AND HOUSEHOLD.
Fern Culture i'm the ParIor.

Ferns are plants the culture of which is
very interesting, either in the greenhouse or
parlor. Nothing adorns sitting-room more
than case of ferns in luxuriant health IN
the midst of winter, when vegetation is at
rest outdoors, and nothing meets the eye but
bare trees and showers OF snow. A case for
this purpose may be made OF any size, and all
most any shape. In their construction, how
ever, several particular points have to he
borne in mind, tor the benefit of the plants
which are to grow in them, the first of which
is means OF obtaining thorough drainage.
More failures occur in the cultivation of
plants in Wardian cases, from imperfect
drainage, than from any other cause, moth
ing being more injurious to the plants than
sour, stagnant soil; and however porous the
soil itself may be, without perfect drainage
it cannot be long IN condition suitable for
supplying healthy food for plants; the wa
escape, soon sours it. To secrue good drain
age, also dryness and tidiness in that part of
the room where the case stands, two bot
toms are necessary; one, the true bottom,
which should be thoroughly perforated to al
low the free escape of water; below this one,
another should be placed to receive the wa
ter as it passes from the soil, and therefore
requires to be water-tight, and so adjusted
that it can be emptied and cleaned without
disturbing any other part of the case. On
the upper bottom place good layer of pot
shreds and charcoal for drainage. Upon this
put a small mound of suitable soil for ferns
peat, loan and good mixture of sand-se-
cure in this mound small stones land shells,
SO as to initiate small rock-work, allowing
sufficient cavities for planting ferns and moss
es.
Proper means of ventilation is also necessa-
ry, which is best acquired by having part OF
the roof movable. When SO constructed
that the movable part can slide over the fixed
part, 1t gives the least trouble, and is tie
most convenient when cleaning, watering or
planting the ferns. Top ventilation is better
for the welfare of the plants than when side
ventilation is adopted, as then there is no ill
effects arising from cold draughts passing
through them.
When planting the ferns, put some erect
growing kinds at the top, and the more
dwarf and bushy ones on the sides of the
mound, using moses for carpeting the whole,
moses Of the denticulata type; those of the
caulescent kinds which succeed in these
cases look best mixed through the ferns.
Upon removing the plants from the pots, do
not break up the balls any before planting;
the roots will soon make start into the fresh
soil, which should be pressed rather firmly
around the roots. After the plants are In,
give a good watering, and shut close tor a
few days.
In selecting plants for such purposes, dwarf
grown plants, in small pots are best.
A good many ferns are adapted for grow
ing in these cases; in fact, with the excep-
ton of gynanOgrGnallGs and cheilGnthes few
kinds in general cultivation but succeed in
them. shall, however, leave for future
article, a list and description of the most suit
able kinds for this purpose.-M. Milton In
Country Gentleman.