ROCK GARDENS

Hardy Ferns for Rock Gardens 5

Ferns may be increased by several methods. The most usual method is by means of "spores" which are contained in small pods, generally found on the underside of the fronds. When these pods are ripe, that is just beginning to burst, the fronds should be picked and wrapped in smooth white paper. If these are undone after a day or so, the paper will be found to be covered with fine brown dust, which looks like brown pollen and is composed of millions of tiny "spores." Put some two inches of drainage crocks into the bottom of a clean pot, fill it up to within an inch of the top with a compost of equal parts of loam, peat, leaf-mould, and sand that has been passed through a quarter-inch sieve. Then press this down firmly, pour boiling water over it to sterilize the soil. Should there be any broken pots near, break them up until they will pass through a quarter inch riddle, then cover the soil in the pan or pot where the spores are to be sown, soak well, after which sow the spores in the broken crocks and cover with a sheet of glass and brown paper and stand in a shady moist corner. Every other day dry the steamed glass and replace. In about two weeks' time a green film will be seen to have grown over the surface of the broken crocks; later this will assume the appearance of green scales, which after a little time will put forth tiny fronds that must be pricked off and be potted up singly when large enough. This is best done by using forceps to prick off each small piece of growth-covered crock. The spores are sown in the same way as seeds), but the compost used must first be sterilized with boiling water and then allowed to cool thoroughly. Ferns may be propagated by spores at any time of the year, but preferably in March or Ally.

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