Where division is possible, it is the easiest and most economical method of propagation, and should be practiced just before the plant starts into growth. The spores can be sown in February and March, or earlier, under glass in a warm propagating pit. Partly fill a suitable sized pot or pan with coarse peat, giving plenty of drainage; make the surface level, and on this place three-quarter inch cubes of well-seasoned peat which is rather dry, watering the whole and scattering on the spores evenly. Cover with a pane of glass, and place in a partial shade. While the process which corresponds to germination is going on, great care must be given to the water supply. This is sometimes done by placing the pots or pans in a saucer, from which they can suck the water up. Overhead watering may be used, and often is, but will sometimes introduce worms and the like. The young plants should be pricked out when the true leaf appears, and they are large enough to handle. The same careful treatment should be continued until they are established in pots. There is not much difficulty in getting the young plants, if fresh spores are obtainable, but there is a good deal of trouble in handling the seedlings, and establishing them in their growing quarters. Most ferns are readily propagated by means of spores, as directed above and on page 24. Some species rarely produce spores in cultivation, however, and in other cases, as in some tree ferns, it is almost impossible to rear the young plants after the spores have germinated. In all such cases, recourse must be had to separation, division or layerage. There are some species, as _Asplenium bulbiferum_, _Cystopteris bulbifera_ and others, which bear small bulblets or detachable buds on their fronds. These buds often vegetate while still attached to the frond. They may be removed either before or after showing signs of vegetation, and set in pots in a close propagating frame, or under a bell-glass. Ferns which make broad crowns may be divided, and this is the common mode with many species. Some species produce creeping root-stocks, which emit roots if pegged down into a pot of soil or on a block of peat. Several plants can often be produced from such a layer. All these operations are best performed in late winter, before the new growth begins. The tree ferns are rarely propagated to any extent in cultivation, but young plants are imported from their native countries. =Fern, Sweet.= See Comptonia. =Ferraria=, Tigridia. _Irideæ._ Propagated by means of seeds and bulbels. =Feverfew.= See Chrysanthemum. =Ficus.= _Urticaceæ._