S2 



especially those from mixed spores, as some varieties show 

 their characteristic features when barely an inch in height^ 

 notably so, seedlings from Smithies grandiceps found in 

 Kendale, which show their gvandiceps breeding or character 

 in the very first fronds they throw up ; seedlings from 

 congcsfa are also easily recognisable. When the seedlings 

 have been grown a year or two in boxes, I plant them out 

 in cold frames into similar but rougher soil. My first lot 

 of seedlings planted out in this way a year ago being now 

 some of them a foot or more in height, and those worth 

 keeping will be planted out in the open in the course of 

 this summer. 



This Fern grows, as I have already said, vigorously in 

 cultivation, the soil in different parts of my garden appear- 

 ing to suit it quite well, the principal requisite for its 

 successful cultivation being absence of lime and a situation 

 in full day-light, i.e. without overhanging branches of any- 

 kind but sheltered from strong winds and with sufficient 

 moisture at its roots. It can stand full exposure to sun 

 but seems impatient of drought. In its native habitat, the 

 caudex and roots of healthy specimens are invariably kept 

 cool and moist and sheltered from the sun's rays by either 

 a thick covering of mosses and grasses or even common 

 ling. 



I venture to think that no lover of ferns who has had the 

 pleasure of seeing the unique collection of varietal forms of 

 Lastvea montana growing in the garden of Mr. George 

 Whitwell, the Secretary of the Society at Kendal, or even 

 a bank of several hundred strongly-grown plants on a 

 hill-side, can fail to admire the extreme beauty either of its 

 habit or colour. Unfortunately, owing either to its 

 cultivation not being properly understood or for other 

 reasons, very few varieties of it are in commerce, its 

 cultivation being confined to a few enthusiastic amateurs, 

 and I can only hope that these few hints may be the means 

 of inciting members of this Society to try their skilled or 

 unskilled hands, as the case may be, at raising seedlings. 



