A friend came to me (like I know anything ) because she has an 8" Boston Fern and it's gotten I guess it's called "leggy". From the soil to an inch or two up it's bare and brown. Water also flows straight through when she waters. Everyone know that I of all people don't know what to do so I'm coming to my trustworthy friends.

Sounds like it may be time to divide. It may be that the leggy spots are lacking green stuff because it's not getting any light at all. Like the whole thing is too tangled or something.