Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-07-03
Collecting Ferns.

The winter season during the prevalence OF
mild weather is unquestionably the most suit
able time for removing ferns. The next best
time is the early spring, just as the new fronds
are about 10 commence their growth. But those
who are hot experienced collectors might at
SUCH seasons often find difficulty IN recog-
ming some species because CT the fact that
the parts which afford the most easy means OF
recognition-the froldS-are dead. The ever
green species mostly retain their fronds all the
winter, and would. herefore be easy 10 md.
But IL Is not SO, OF course. with the deciduOus
herbaceous kinds.
Ferns. however, are so hardy. that not only
IN winter aid early spring, but throughout
epring, summer and autumn they can be up-
rooted and transplanted with but little injury.
beyond perhaps the Disagreement OF one or NO
OF the growing fronds. Even this miuimlm or
injury may be avoided by very careful handling
and, should it be INFLICTED. the plant viii not
fronds.
We may look upon fern collecting, therefore.
as ceiightful pursuit. which can be folio we'd
al the year round. But IL must be remembered
that success IN removing ferns from their hab-
ltals dunng the summer, especially during the
prevalence OF hot weather, VIII m Ore depend
upon the method which is adopted ana upon
the care which Is exercised during the opera
ton than VIII be the csse during the winter or
early spring.
Where fern collecting tour is d scided on, the
collector should be PROVIDED with a small gar
den fork. stout chisel. a hammer, a strong
Other receptacle for carrying the ferns. Shou ID
it lie determined to hunt for very large spec!-
ms rs, IL would be necessary TO add spade TO
the implements named But In such case
pecisl means Of conveyance would need 20 be
provided from some point, as near as possible
10 the locality rrem which the ferns are to be
taken; and indeed such conveyance would be
desirable whenever fern huAting on a large
scale Is 10 be INDUCED In. la an ordinary
Way, however. IL VIII be found that the i'm
PIGMENTS needed for removing from their hae-
farm no
Diently carried In q snail tourists bag, siuug
On the back or TIE pedestrian collector; ana In
the same convenient way IL Will be found pos
sole, by careful packing 70 carry good num-
Der OF plants Whenever possible, lt is de-
sfrable 10 take up the specimens With sufficient
earth TO prevent disturbance OF the roots.
But In any case IL Is necessary that every pos
BILE portion OF the root should be TAX n up
even to the ultimate foroas rootiets. This %.
Ject can be secured by carefully digging at a
safe distance round AID underneath the root
stock OF the plant Nothing SO much promotes
the rapid recovery OF a plant after removal as
the exercise OF great care in getting
lets IL must be remembered that &c
has often taken the rootstock a long time
TO develop Its network OF rootiets, which as
they grew have penetrated into all the sur
sounding tnterstlces u the soil or rock from
which the plant derives lis sustenancs. IL,
therefore, the work or months is ruthleSsly un-
done In i nom moment 6y the tnoughtless tearing
ers IL cannot be expected that the same vigor
viii be Immediately shown under cultivation
as was before exhibited. Yet many fern col.
| lectoTs on getting out OF the earth or rock by
| sharp pull Of the hand what looks TO them like
| an entire root are surprised ana disappointed
on finding that the earliest fronds thrown up
unoer cuItivatfon nave sadly dVsndled from
their natural Size. Even when TO all appear
| ance there is sufficient mass OF reotiets
secured it often happens that a considerable
! number are left unperceived In the earth.
1t is especially In the removal OF the rock
/ loving ferns that the greatest violence is
usually done to the pants. Most OF the rock
| growing species have very abundant, wiry,
| fibrous rootlets, which penetrate In a very re-
markable way the stony intersuces In the
nefghboEhood OF the rootstock. it is often
made subject OF complaint oy fern collectors.
that the rock-growing species are more dlf1i.
cult than any others 10 establish under cultiya.
ton. But the difficulty arises chiefly from the
circumstance which has already been alluded
10. NO DOUBT IL Is often matter OF difficulty
70 uproot the rock-loylng ferns, and &c is for
this work that hammer and chisel are neces-
sary, SO that BY the careful undermining and
removal OF the adjacent portions OF rocK, the
crown, rootstock, and rootlets of the specimen
desired may LIE got out unframed A little
prscllce. however, n it De Joined 70 q careful
and loving study OF the plant peculiarities Will
soon give the mastery IN this kind OF work.
when. oy the careful process recommended,
Terms are got out from their places OF growth,
damp moss or other moist material should be
rcotlete. In this way they can pe conveniently
carried 10 considerable distance without any
covering TO the fronds, although IL the air be
very hot. dry. and sultry,. the fronds, II IN
tended 10 remain on The plant, must-especIai-
~ those OF the most fragile or herbaceous
klnos-be kept under shelter, as they would be
II put into q covered basket or other conyen-
lent covered receptacle. Ia removing the
larger kinds OF ferns, however. during the
summer, 1t may often be found convenient
especially where room for putting the
| specimens has to be economHea-to
cut OF all, or at least the largest
| OF the fronds, and TO wrap In moss,
| or keep covered merely the rootstocks and root
| lets. When planted In the garden or other
| place OF cultivation. new fronds as we have
already said, viii, II under favorable conditions,
| speedily be thrown up TO supply the place OF
those removed. Where q tour Is made Ia search
| OF small specimens OF ferns It fs beat, after
wrapping moss-which Is generally TO be found
| In the neighporhood OF ferns-around each little
root, to pack together-root SIDE by side with
root-the whole Of the specimens II moist
wrapper be then placed round them, they win
keep fresh for days and even for weeks II &C.
casionally looked &C and sprinkled with water.
In collecting the rock loving species OF fernA &c
is desirable when possible TO detach q little
- $r,a <,<,fyS e<&o