Cultural Hints About Ferns. 59 The dryness of the furnace heat is responsible for the ruin of ferns as of other plants in our dwellings. Ferns do not like fumigation, and when required for aphides it must be very moderate smoking. Their worst enemy is the brown scale, and this must be watched for and plants cleansed at the first indication, as the plant will be ruined if they are allowed to become established. Perhaps the best allround fern for house growth is the Sword Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata), which has tall, handsome fronds. This plant, if properly hardened, will survive much. abuse. The most popular species, however, is the Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum), whose graceful fronds are the most beautiful. These require careful, slow growth, in not too damp an atmosphere, and free exposure to light (not sunlight) to harden their foliage and fit them to endure house service. The Pterises, green and variegated, are a third addition to the list of useful ferns, and these, with perhaps an Asplenium and an Onychium, will prove a satisfactory assortment. For table use a neat little tree fern-one of the Lomarias is ornamental or a pot of the Davallias, which have wide-spreading fronds, but must be grown in the conservatory. It is well to grow in the conservatory a reserve stock of ferns in very small pots, to replace the plants which may become shabby in the fern pans which are so much used for table and parlor decoration. To grow ferns successfully in livingrooms with the minimum of care, they should be cultivated in a Wardian case. This is practically a miniature conservatory, consisting essentially of a plant bed with a glass covering, in which there is a proper opening for ventilation. In such a case the proper amount of moisture may be at all times regulated, and the most delicate Cypripedium caudatum. ferns may be grown, as they cannot be affected by the gas or dry atmosphere of the apartment. It is, perhaps, needless to say that such a case should not be exposed to direct sunlight, but rather placed in a warm, light location. The case may be closed at night, but must be ventilated when the tempera and fortunately there are many handsome species and varieties, the first cost of which is a trifle, and, under proper conditions, are as easily grown as a Begonia. There are some ten thousand species of Orchids and many varieties. Comparatively few of this number are in cultivation, many of them being of interest only to the botanist. The Cypripediums, or Lady's Slippers, are the favorite terrestrial Orchids. They are most readily grown in a moist atmosphere and moderate warmth. The ordinary species are good greenhouse plants, the flowers are very lasting and of quaint if quiet beauty. These plants are great favorites with growers, who compete with each other in the race for the most extensive collection of Ondontoglossum crispum, Alexandra (New Granada). White varieties. Unlike most Orchids they and reddish-brown. ture passes, say 60° F. Except the removal of dead fronds and the careful abstention from overwatering, a Wardian case requires little attention, and, if carefully planted, will prove a very effective house adornment. The case may be simply an ordinary round Fern pan, with a bell-glass; but an opening must be made in this for a ventilator, though it may be ventilated by raising the lower edges on supports when desired. Very pretty Wardian cases are made in the shape of window-boxes with a tall glass cover, the glass at the end being adjusted to slide and make an opening for ventilation and necessary culture and attention. There is an universal curiosity nowadays among people as to Orchids, and if one has a greenhouse all visitors will ask to see some " of those beautiful air-plants." The culture of Orchids is a fascinating branch of horticulture, increase with fair rapidity. The epiphytal Orchids have pseudo (or false) bulbs, which are storehouses of vigor from which they draw their flowers. These Orchids need a season of rest before making growth. When the plant commences growth, which it indicates by making fresh roots and putting out new shoots or leads at the base of the pseudo-bulbs, the supply of moisture should be increased and the temperature raised. As soon as the growth is completed the plant should receive gradually less water and be allowed to ripen with full supplies of air and light. After the pseudo-bulbs are ripened the plant may be kept on the side of dryness, without withering until the buds appear, when water may be given again more freely. Orchids. are creatures of light and free air, many of them growing in the tops of the tallest trees of tropical forests, so that air is their birthright and a proper supply of this is an important element treatment and conditions. O. Crispum in their culture. Among such an extensive genus, cultural details diverge very widely, but the above hints will serve for the treatment of the ordinary Epiphytals. Among the showiest of these are the Cattleyas, which are mostly large flowered and free in bloom. C. labiata flowers late in the year. This is usually succeeded by C. Percivalliana, followed by C. triana and C. Mossia. C. gigas, which we illustrate, has the same general character, is the largest flowered, and is a summer bloomer. Lycaste Skinneri, the parlor Orchid, has gained its name. from the persistency of the flowers, which are not injured in the living rooms. It is considered one of the most useful Orchids for general cultivation. The Lalias are generally of the easiest possible culture. Hung on a block in the sun, and in a moist atmosphere, they make annual bulbs and flower freely, with long, arching spikes of blooms. L. albida, L. anceps, L. Arnoldiana, and L. purpurata seem to be most generally grown. Calogyne cristata is an useful Orchid, with plentiful white flowers having yellow throats and flowering in late winter. Odontoglossum Rossi is an easily grown Orchid, with white flowers spotted brown. It is attractive in the early year. There are many beautiful Odontoglossums, but aside from O. Rossi they are plants for the serious gardener, requiring special is universally considered the handsomest of cultivated Orchids. This requires cool treatment in a northern exposure, and is a plant which tests the skill of the experienced. The intending cultivator of Orchids will find much interesting literature on the subject, and a most charming and entertaining exercise in caring for them. They are as yet practically rare plants in most sections of the country, and the grower will soon acquire a pleasant local reputation as the possessor of choice things. In fact the collection and cultivation of all plants in an intelligent way is a pleasure which is not only profitable to the grower, but an enjoyment to friends and neighbors. The busiest man really never gets far away from nature, and the possession of land and its cultivation seems an instinctive universal desire. The cultivation of the merely ornamental plants would be more general were the opportunity given to everyone to know something of the wonderful variety of plant life. Care should be taken always to interest children in growing things. The influence of days passed among flowers in early youth often permeates the whole future life, and many men and women are never so much stirred by emotion as when they recognize in the garden. flowers which remind them of joys and sorrows long past. |