FERNS 



Some of the rootstocks sciul out branches in all direc- 

 tions. After a \N'iiile these l)ranches send up their own 

 fronds. Then the}" separate from the old root stock 

 and form new fern plants. 



One daint}^ little fern has all along the under side 

 of the stem curious little bulbs about the size of a 

 grain of pepper. After a while these fall to the ground. 



In a week or two new plants 

 begin to grow out of them. 

 Each bulb is made up of two 

 or three little bits of flesh}^ 

 green scales joined together 

 at the l)ase. If you watch 

 them at this time, }'0U ^^■ill 

 see a couple of slender roots 

 springing from between the 

 scales. These reach down into 

 the soil. Then a tiny frond begins to uncoil from the 

 heart of the bulb. After it come larger and larger 

 ones, until it is a good-sized plant. As these fronds 

 grow, the rootstocks push out from the l)ulb, growing 

 larger and thicker as the fern gains strength. 



There is a fern, called the walking fern, which has 

 another way of forming new plants. In August the 

 fronds are fully grown. Then the tips of some of the 

 longer ones bend down against the rock or into the 

 moss. Soon a young plant with two or three tiny 

 fronds is found growing upon the end of the leaf. 



' 20 



Fern Growing from a BuUj. 



