FERXS 



THE CHRISTMAS FERN 



Do you remember reading about the evergreen 

 ferns that remain in the woods amid the ice and 

 snow of winter? One of these is called the Christmas 

 fern. Its thick leaves are a dark, glossy green. These 

 fronds are used in holiday decorations. Millions of 



them are sold each vear 

 in all of our great cities. 

 A large plant of this 

 fern is very beautiful, 

 both on account of its 

 rich color and because 

 of the way it grows. It 

 is found on rock}^ slopes 

 in the woods, and in 

 the damp soil along the 

 banks of shaded streams. 

 The Christmas fern 

 is one of the earliest. 

 AMien the roloin and the 

 bluebird come, last 

 3^ear's fronds are still 

 fresh and green. Low 

 down among these can be seen the young fronds com- 

 ing up in circular clumps. 



This is the kind of fern whose young crosiers are 



48 



The Christmas Fern. 



