149 



be entirely overlooked. These little gems, however, are 

 fitting companions, pteridologically as well as sentimen- 

 tally, for their pretty little "sisters" Athyvium f. f. 

 congestion minus and C. ni. cvistatiun. 



Of the Broad Buckler Ferns (Lastrea dilatata) I can 

 only mention gvandiccps, lepidota, and L. cvistata, and say 

 that they are all worth growing. L. oemida, from Cornwall, 

 and L. (e. cvistata, from Devon, are rather " miffy " with me, 

 while L. uiontana and its varieties are conspicuous by their 

 absence. 



In the opposite corner to Wills' polydactylous Alale 

 Fern I made a station for Osmitnda vegalis of peat and 

 loam in about equal proportions, and to keep this 

 vigorous-growing fern from trespassing on its neighbours, 

 I thrust some stout slates two feet down into the border. 

 Being also just behind the door, this, and its variety 

 cvistata, are always under observation, and therefore do 

 not get neglected in the matter of that all-important fluid, 

 without which no Osmunda could long survive. That the 

 conditions conform to its natural requirements is evidenced 

 by its vigour, for the fronds are not only numerous, but 

 attain the height of seven feet, and many of them are now 

 (October) still surmounted with their brown flower-like 

 scapes. I got this from Studland Bay, in Dorset, 1895, 

 where I have recently been, and am glad to report its 

 continued existence in that district. Its beautiful variety 

 cvistata, which occupies a front place, is comparatively 

 dwarf in habit, and affords a striking contrast to its 

 towering parent, a contrast which the veriest tyro in 

 fern matters can understand and appreciate. Still looking 

 up, one's eye is sure to be attracted to the Polypodies, 

 or, as they call them in Cornwall, " Ladder Ferns." 

 These seem particularly suited to the hanging basket, 

 and at least four out of six of these wire receptacles I 

 employ for Polypodies. The hanging basket, however, is 

 peculiarly liable to suffer from drought, as when watered 

 ninety-nine per cent, is apt to run through. This can be 



B 



