■8 



on either side of the midrib the pinnae are like threads, 

 such pinnules as do occur being so short as scarcely to 

 count ; then the pinnae become fully and richly clothed. 

 The light appearance given by this formation is most 

 graceful and distinct. Another feature is that some of 

 the fronds droop, while others stand upright, a formation 

 which is particularly attractive when the fern is grown in 

 a pot. For some years after it came my specimen proved 

 invincible at our shows as a pot plant, but I noticed 

 that instead of increasing it showed a tendency to 

 diminish in size ; this led to a trial in its present quarters, 

 and now, after a year in the open, the fern is itself again, 

 and gives promise of still further development. 



Of Fernery No. 5 I do not propose to write on this 

 occasion. It is planned on a larger scale than any of the 

 other four, but is too new as yet to call for notice ; but 

 before going to the frames and the houses, I should like to 

 point to some of the specimens of my find Scol. viilg. 

 concavo capitaUim. The discovery of this new form, near 

 Schull, CO. Cork, has already been described in the Gazette 

 (December, 1912), so that I content myself with calling 

 attention to the way it flourishes in different situations and 

 with varying culture. One specimen has grown so well 

 under pot treatment that it formed one of the group of 

 six which obtained Prize i from the Royal Horticultural 

 Society of Ireland in 191 2. 



If we now go to the glass we shall find a good many 

 specimen pot plants which have won first honours on the 

 show tables. 



The Editor's plumose section of the athyrium are 

 not easily distanced if they can be set up in good con- 

 dition ; most careful shading, plenty of room, and a cool 

 bottom seem to me essential ; one of my frames stands in 

 absolute shade, and the ground inside is excavated into a 

 deep pit ; in this way I supply what the athyrium 

 appreciates. Not so difficult by any means, and quite 



