Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-07-02
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 to commence their growth. But those
who are not experienced collectors might at
such seasons often find difficulty 10 recog-
MIXING some species, because of the fact that
the parts which afford the most easy means OF
recognition-the frond5-are dead. The ever.
green species mostly retain their fronds all the
But 1t is not SO. OF course, with the deciduous
species, which include the most fragile of the
herbaceOuS kinds.
Ferns. however, are 80 hardy, that not only
In winter and early spring, but throughout
spIlng, summer and autumn they can be up
rooted and transplanted With but little injury,
be! ond perhaps the disagreement OF one or two
OF the growing frOnds. Even this mtatm I'm OF
Injury may be avoided by very careful handling,
and, should It be inflicted. the plant will not
De long In supplying the place OF It's lost
We may look upon fern collecting, therefore.
as delightful pursuit, which can be folio wei
all the year round But ic must be remembered
that success in removing ferns from their hab-
prevalence OF not weather, will more depend
upon the method which Is adopted and upon
the care which is exercised during the opera
ton than Will be the Gaze during the winter or
Where fern collecting tour is decided on, the
collector should be prov ided With q small gar
Ueu lOIk, d SUOut CnlEel, q manner. SIrOug
clasped knife, q trowel and covered basket OF
otter receptacle for carrying the ferns. Shou
tG tie determined to hunt for very large spec-
mt ns, 1t would be necessary to add spade to
the implements named. But In such a ca
spe clal means OF conveyance would need to De
provided from some point, as near as pos 5ible
10 the locality from which the ferns are to be
taken; and indeed such conveyance would be
desirable whenever fern-hunung on a large
scale Is 10 be iId1lged in. In an ordiaa y
way, however: It will be found that the i'm
PIGMENTS needed for removing from their hau-
1tats the smaller and rarer ferns can be COVE
niently carried In small tourists bag, slung
on the back OF the pedestrian collector; and In
the same convenient way 1t will be found pos
sible, by careful packing, to carry good num-
Der OF plants. Whenever possible, 1t is de-
sirable TO take up the specimens With sufficient
earth to prevent a disturbance of the roots.
But In any case 1t is necessary that every pos
slble portion OF the root should De taken up
even to the ultimate f1orous rOotlets. This o.
1ect Can be secured by carefully digging &C g
safe distance round AID underDe .th the root
stock OF the plant Nothing 80 much promotes
the rapid recovery OF a plant after removal as
the exercise OF great care In getting
up the entire mass Of roots and root:
has often taken the rootstock q long time
to develop its network OF rootlets, watch as
they grew have penetrated into all the sur
sounding tnterstces OF the soil or rock from
which the plant derives its sustenance. IT,
therefore, the work OF months is ruthlessly I'M
done IN moment by the thoughtless tearing
ers It cannot be expected that the same vlgor
Will be Immediately shown under cultivation
as was before exhibited. Yet many fern col
lectoIs on getting out Of the earth or rock oy a
sharp pull. OF the hand what looks to them like
an entire root are surprised and disappointed
on nnd1ng that the earliest fronds thrown up
unoer cultivation have sadly dwindied from
their natural size. Even when to all appear.
ance there Is sufficient mass Of rsotlets
secured 1t often happens that considerable
number ~ % a are left unperceived in the earth.
loving ferns that the greatest violence IL
usually done to the plants. Most OF the rock
growing species have very abundant, wiry,
norous rootlets, which penetrate In very re-
markable way the stony 1nterstices In the
nefghbOrhood OF the rOotstock. IL Is often
MADE a subject OF complaint by fern collectors,
that the rock growing species are more diff.
cult than any others TO establish under cultiYa.
ton. But the difficulty arises Chiefly from the
circumstance which has already been alluded
10. NO doubt 1t is often matter OF diff Guilty
TO TO uproot the rock-lovlng FERNS and It is for
this work that hammer and chisel are neces-
sary, 50 that by the careful undermining and
removal OF the adjacent portions of rock. the
GSfoW,n, rootstock, and rootlets OF the specimen
desired may be got OUT unframed. A little
practice, however, II 1t be Joined to q careful
ana loving study OF the plants peculiarities Will
soon give the mastery in this kind OF work
Wnen, Dy the careful process recommended
IeIns are got out from their places of growth
damp moss or other moist material should b
wrapped securely round their rootstocks and
carried to considerable distance Without any
covering TO the frOnds, although II the air be
very hot. dry. and sultry. the fronds IL in
tended TO remain on the plant, must-especIal-
" those OF the most fragile or herbaceous
kinds-be kept under shelter. as they would be
II put into covered basket or other conven-
lent covered receptacle. In 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 econOmHed-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, will, II under favorable conditions
speedily be thrown up TO supply the place OF
those removed. Where tour Is made In search
OF small specimens Of ferns, it Is best, after
wrapping moss-which Is generally to be found
In the neighborhood 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 wi /
keep fresh for days and even for weeks IL oc-
casionaliy looked at and sprnkled with water
10 collecting the rock loving species OF ferns 1t
Is desirable when possible to detach little
portion OF the rock. Sd as to avoid tearing OF
the r0otlets OF the plant.
Maud and Her Bean.
There's a silence deep, aud brooding sleep.