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flourish amazingly in these stumps. There are in all 

 upwards of twenty varieties in the collection. The more 

 vigorous kinds grow sufficiently well on the ground, if 

 the drainage is rapid, but the tree stumps seem ideal for 

 the more difficult. I was unable to do anything in the 

 open with P. v. tvichomanoides, that most refined and 

 intricate of forms, until the elm came to the rescue. 



Fernery No. 3 marks the beginning of my success in 

 the propagation of the plumose section of P. ang. Noticing 

 the particularly fine quality of P. ang. pUimosiim {Esplan) I 

 moved my one specimen to various sites, seeking full 

 development. At last I selected a corner of the kitchen 

 garden looking due north. This I hollowed, and drained. 

 There the ' Esplan ' was planted. Soon improved results 

 were noticeable; then, very slowly at first, came the wished- 

 for bulbils, now quite a crop appear each spring, and my 

 stock of Esplan is substantial. Encouraged by the way in 

 which my Esplan specimen revelled in this corner, I have 

 extended the boundaries, and planted Plumosums in variety, 

 as P. ang. pin. tenne, P. ang. plu. cvistaium, P. ang. phi, 

 digitatnm, P. ang. plu. Gvimmondii, P. ang. plu. laxum Fox. 

 To help growth by means of a still, close atmosphere, 

 short and tall perennials were introduced, and the result 

 is a series of specimen plants with perfectly developed 

 fronds, which, as a rule, remain in fine condition right 

 through the winter. 



Fernery No. 4 partakes of the nature of a nursery. Dug 

 out, and between a hedge eight feet high and a row of 

 currant trees, and carefully drained, it affords a suitable 

 home for young Plumosums of various kinds. But there 

 is one specimen over which we may linger a moment. 

 The name P. ang. Medio -deficiens is not at first sight alluring. 

 It suggests a cripple, some of whose parts are gone. 

 Under Mr. Stansfield's guidance, however, I ignored the 

 name-caused prejudice, and was rewarded by a treasure 

 of quite extraordinary beauty. For perhaps half an inch 



