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THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE OF AMERICA. 



room, if tliere is no coal or illuminating gas present, 

 or in a shaded alcove or porch corner where the sun 

 or wind will not reach them. Young plants will grow 

 continuously, but older plants make somewhat peri- 

 odic growths — from spring until early summer, and 

 again during the autumn when the evenings are cool. 

 By November the plants will have completed their 

 growth and there should be no further effort made to 

 have them add to it. Keep them in a temperature be- 

 tween 45 and 60 degrees during the winter months, 

 water only when dry and then water thoroughly by 

 standing the pot in a vessel of water, and on a bright, 

 warm day the entire top may be immersed in water 

 for a few moments and the plant shaken slightly to 

 remove surplus water. This discourages insects and 

 keeps the plant clean and healthy. 



If the plants are affected with insects — aphis, red 

 spider or scale — some insecticide must be added to 

 the water, any tobacco extract in mild proportion with 

 soap will prove effective, but the plant shoukl be 

 plunged in or sprayed with clear water sliortly after- 

 ward. 



For general house culture the Nephrolepis faniih', 

 which includes the "Boston Fern" and its various 

 types, is perhaps tlie most favored. Among its beauti- 

 fully crested forms are the varieties "Piersoni," ""Wliit- 

 mani," "Amerpholi," "Superbissima" and several others. 

 Occasional fronds of the smooth type will occur among 

 these and should be removed as they appear. 



The "Boston Fern" (Nephrolepis Bostoniensis) is 

 undoubtedly the best of smooth leaved type for house 

 culture. The fronds are long and graceful and freely 

 produced, and the plant is constitutionally strong. "N. 

 Scotti" and "N. Giatrisi" are more compact forms of 

 the above and make excellent specimens in small pots. 



All of the Nephrolepis are best multiplied by potting 

 up the young runners; dividing the old plants will 

 seldom result in good specimens. 



The "IMaiden Hair Ferns" (Adiantum) are usually 

 regarded as being too delicate for house culture, but 

 there are several varieties that can be grown quite 

 successfully. A. Croweanum, A. Cuneatum, A. Hy- 

 bridum, A. Lathomi, and the new A. Farleyense glo- 

 riosa (Ruhn von Alordrecht) are all adapted to house 

 culture. -Adiantum Farleyense, the most beautiful of 

 all Maiden Hairs, cannot be included among house 

 plants. It requires a moist "hot house" atmosphere, 

 but its counterpart "gloriosa" can be expected to 

 thrive under the conditions suitable to the hardier 

 Maiden Hairs. 



A number of the Adiantums can be grown from 

 spores, but division of the old plants is the simplest 

 method. 



Other good house Ferns include Cyrtoniium Fal- 

 catum and Cyrtoniium Fortuneii. They like a cool 

 atmosphere and can be raised from spores. 



Lomaria Gibba, a miniature tree Fern, is produced 

 readily from spores and is of easy culture. 



The "Pteris" Ferns are excellent for house culture. 

 The small plants can be made up into Fern pans and 

 large plants make handsome specimens. Pteris Cretus 

 Albo-lineata is one of our finest variegated Ferns. 

 Pteris Serrulata and its crested form Pteris Cretica 

 are well worthy of more extensive culture. 



The Asparagus Fern, although not at all related to 

 any Fern species, is easily grown, and an excellent 

 plant for the living room. The seed can be sown in 

 spring and by fall the young plants, planted three or 

 four to a pot or pan and with the addition of a few 

 Pteris Ferns which can be removed as the Asparagus 

 develops its growth, will make immediate specimen 

 plants. Asparagus Sprengeri, also easily grown, is ex- 

 cellent as a pot plant or for planting in hanging bas- 

 kets. 



In conclusion, I might cite an instance that may il- 

 lustrate what may be accomplished in the absence of 

 facilities. A lady evidentl}^ possessing "that knack" 

 with plants had been presented with three plants of 

 Adiantum Hybridum in three-inch pots and badly pot- 

 bound. These were planted into an ordinary box 

 about 10 X 20 inches and 8 inches deep, and in June 

 the fronds were entirely removed and the box placed 

 in a cool shaded corner of the porch, and later to the 

 living room where it was placed on a low stand. By 

 October the growth was so vigorous that the objec- 

 tionable box was entirely obscured by the overhang- 

 ing fronds and the plant remained healthy and vigor- 

 ous until cut back again in late spring for the succeed- 

 ing season's growth. 



THE SEED SONG. 



Little brown seed. Oh little brown brother. 



Are you awake in the dark ? 



Here we lie cosily, close to each other, 



Hark to the song of the lark. 



Waken, the lark says, waken and dress you, 



Put on your coats green and gay. 



Blue sky will smile on you, sunshine caress you, 



\\"aken I 'tis morning! 'tis May! 



— Anonymous. 



CHRONICLE 

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