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christened IMinor and Minimus, now seem to suffer from 

 Elephantiasis or some such horrible affliction, their 

 diminutive character being altogether a thing of the past. 

 The true dwarfs are delightful little plants, and of course 

 retain their character under normal conditions. I have 

 been wondering whether any of our members have been 

 successful in growing A.f.f. Givdlesionii in typical form. 

 I saw it in Mr. Smithies' garden, but he complained 

 that it was a miffy subject with him. I have it, but 

 in anything but a robust state, whereas the variety 

 grandiceps present no difficulty. Possibly it is like cur 

 Editor's A.f.f. haloihvix cristainvi, very partial to a glass, 

 in fact very happy when bottled. 



A point upon which I believe consideiable divergence 

 of opinion exists is the application of manure to Ferns 

 generally. My experience is that both in pots and 

 planted out many of them are greatly benefited by 

 generous treatment. 1 grow a fairly representative 

 collection of Scolopendvmms in a long and deep frame. A 

 year ago I mulched them heavily with pig manure, and 

 the growth they have made and the crowns formed for 

 this year have more than justified the treatment. For 

 plants in pots of Scols,, Athyviums, Polystichums and Lastreas 

 I use Clay's fertiliser, which the plants appear to appre- 

 ciate without becoming coarse. 



Some five years ago, I raised a large number of Lasivea 

 psendo mas cristata fimhriata Cropper. The seedlings 

 came generally true to type, but some are certainly im- 

 proved forms ; they were planted out in many positions 

 in the garden, both exposed and otherwise. This plant is 

 reputed to be sonjewhat tender, but that is not my 

 experience, what it may be in the north I cannot say. 

 Lastrea dilatata foliosa cristata Brourn is also quite hardy 

 with me, this hailing from the Azores. Its fronds are 

 now quite fresh and green ; it is a very beautiful fern. 



Like roses and daffodils, some Ferns seem to have their 



