456 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



tracted pinnae, or leaflets, in the middle of the froud. It prefers wet places, 

 but will do better than most any other in dry locations. Like most ferns, it 

 bears no fruit when much dwarfed. The other Osmundas, especially Regalis, 

 or Royal Fern, sometimes do well in gardens, but they have a habit of sending 

 a mass of rootlets to the surface, when they are injured, except in a wet 

 location. 



Pteris Aquilina — The common brake, with its long whip-like branching 

 stems beneath the surface, will grow almost anywhere, but is not as handsome 

 as some, and the fronds die rather early in autumn. 



Aspidium Acrostichoides — The thick evergreen fern of northern hillsides, 

 is not as easy to grow as some, but is never unsightly. 



These four are the most desirable of those most likely to be met with. I have 

 not mentioned the Maiden Hair, Adiantum pedatum, the most beautiful of all, 

 for its fronds are almost sure to be broken by winds, and it dies down very 

 early in the season. 



The list may be lengthened by giving proper moisture and protection from 

 sun and wind. Notice where they grow naturally. Most ferns are very sensi- 

 tive to a change of condition. Notice how others have succeeded. See how 

 they hold their appearance through the season, whether they are killed by frost 

 or burned by the sun. Look at the roots; the deep- rooting kinds are most 

 desirable, those wbose crowns stand upright usually fail when deprived of 

 their protection of woods, mold and leaves. 



Pansy Culture. — Mrs. D. L. Arnold of Grand Rapids, Michigan, suc- 

 ceeds well with pansies, and in speaking of their culture, says: "I sow my 

 seed in cold frames covered with oiled muslin. As soon as the first true 

 leaves appear, the plants are transplanted about an inch apart, to give them 

 a stocky growth. Some time after this they are transplanted to beds in 

 rows five inches apart each way, and are again finally transferred to beds and 

 set about a foot apart each way. With good seed from 80 per cent to 90 per 

 cent may be relied upon to germinate and produce healthy plants. With 

 proper culture blooming begins about three months after the seed is sown. 

 The best time to sow is in July, as an abundance of fall flowers will be ob- 

 tained, and the plants will be in good condition for wintering, and flower 

 well the next season. Pansies may also be propagated by cuttings, or divis- 

 ion of the root. In England the last two methods are largely practiced, but 

 the plants are not. as healthy as seedlings and do not flower so well. A pansy 

 plant will live for years, but it is better to renew with seedlings. The 

 plants should not be allowed to go to seed as they will then stop flowering. 



"The prevalent idea that pansies love shade is erroneous. Although they 

 do not do very well in the hottest summer sunshine, they thrive when ex- 

 posed to the sun's rays in ordinary weather. They should be protected from 

 bleak winds. They require a good supply of water, but should not be 

 soaked. Drouth causes them to mildew and become affected with red spider. 

 Almost any soil that is rich in plant food is good for pansies; sandy loam 

 and well rotted compost are especially so. Clay loam gives fewer flowers, 

 but greater thickness of petals." 



The Periwinkles. — A writer in the Philadelphia Press notes that no 

 plant, unless we except the ivy, is so valuable for using in the dense shade 

 of trees as the various forms of vinca, or, as it is mostly termed, periwinkle. 



