274 



iDconstaDcy as this plays an important part, though it 

 proves a sufficiently awkward factor where the propagation 

 of the parent form is aimed at in any quantity, the only 

 certain way being division of the plant itself. 



It may be taken as a rule that when once the common 

 form has varied, the tendency to vary again is increased ; 

 hence, it has been possible — as in the case just cited — 

 starting from a wild find of distinct character, to obtain, 

 in a few generations, by careful selection, plants of con- 

 tinually increasing beauty. 



The article then went on to deal with the various types 

 of variation with which our readers w^ill be sufficiently 

 familiar through the " Gazette " since its publication. 



C. T. D. 



HOW I REMOVED MY FERNS OVER THREE 



HUNDRED MILES. 



By T. G. H. Eley. 

 The "Fern Gazette" has an irresistible attraction for 

 me, and the articles written by our talented Editor, Mr. 

 C. T. Druery, Dr. Stansfield, and others, are a continual 

 feast. The two gentlemen above-named are, out of their 

 vast experience, giving us of their best knowledge, and 

 thereby enlightening the members of the B.P.S. into 

 the mysteries and intricacies of the Fern cult, of which 

 I, as a humble member, and a very badly smiit^n one 

 too, tender them, and to all other literary contributors 

 to the " Gazette," my sincere thanks. The one article, 

 however, which has enthralled me beyond all others 

 is Mr. Cranfield's " The Narrative of a Resuscitated 

 Collection." I often fancy myself in that Fern paradise — 

 the late Mr. Moly's — grubbing and delving amongst the 

 entanglements of a long-neglected garden, heaving up 

 huge clumps with mattock, crowbar, etc., followed by 

 the heartrending operation of reducing such clumps, bit by 



