112 THE AMEHICAK BOTANIST. 



Limnnthes one species with one variety, unknown to nic ; 

 Oxalis with two species, only one of which I have seen. 

 Not much of a family to work on, but there are many 

 varieties in the garden differing widely. 

 Orange, California. 



DESTROYING THE FERNS. 



Those who patronize the florists have no douljt been 

 impressed with the important part ferns play in the make- 

 up of bouquets and other decorations, and have perhaps 

 imagined that the fern fronds were grown in the green- 

 houses with the flowers. Such, however, is not the case. 

 The thrifty cultivator uses all his space for flowers and 

 depends upon Nature for his ferns. Orchids, carnations 

 and roses must be grown under glass but the hillsides of 

 the northern States are covered with fern, that, up to the 

 present, could be had for the gathering. This has resulted 

 in the development of an extensive traffic in fronds of our 

 native ferns, which is beginning to threaten their existence 

 in the regions from which the supply comes. 



To prevent the total extinction of the ferns in the 

 Berkshires a measure has been introduced into the Massa- 

 chusetts Legislature requiring that each fern-gatherer in 

 that state have alicense and making other regulations for 

 restricting the collecting. This, of course, has aroused the 

 strong opposition of the dealers. From the Pittsfield 

 Evening Journal of Jan. 20, we take the following which 

 sets forth the collector's side of the case. 



"Hinsdale is aroused over the bill that Representative 

 Allen T. Treadvvay of Stock bridge has introduced into the 

 House of Representatives relating to the fern industry- in 

 this countr}'. If this bill passes the House the industrj^ 

 will be killed in Berkshire so sa^' the dealers and they are 

 going to put up a stiff fight to defeat it. Not more than 

 $50,000 worth of ferns cire harvested in Berkshire every 

 year and if the business is killed it means that the chief 

 source of income for scores of families will be abolished. 

 As showing the extent of the industry John Abbott of 



