A PROGRESSIVE SERIES OF DWARF VARIETIES 



Figure 8. This picture and the preceding one are on the same scale. Some forms of the wild 

 sword fern (Figure 7) measure six feet across. The leaves of the different forms are progressively 

 more ruffled and crinkled. Such a series arising in a definite sequence illustrates the orthogenic 

 theory of evolution. 



is a direct descendant of the Roosevelt 

 fern, and has all the vigor appropriate 

 to such a name encompassed within a 

 spread of but three feet. The third 

 fern, "Baby Randolph," is also a de- 

 scendant of Teddy Jr., but still smaller, 

 the last fern in the picture is an un- 

 named sport of Teddy Jr. Its leaves 

 are less than six inches long, but 

 very much crisped and ruffled, having, 

 as it were, a natural permanent wave. 



This variety may practically be 

 counted out of the race at the start. 

 It has attractive leaves, and makes a 

 well-shaped plant, but grows too slowly 

 to be of general value. Although it has 

 appeared as a new form in the green- 

 houses of several florists, it has never 

 been deemed sufficiently valuable to 

 receive the distinction of a definite 

 name. On the other hand, there are 

 undoubtedly people to whom its dwarf 

 prettiness would have a special attrac- 

 tion. 



THE VARIETIES INCLUDED IN THIS TEST 



On page 258 is given a list of the 

 varieties included in the experiment at 

 the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. It 

 will be noted that all belong in a single 

 class of the Boston fern group, — i.e., 

 those with the leaves merely once- 

 divided or once pinnate. It is not 

 possible at the present time to include 

 the numerous plume and lace varieties. 

 The number of plants to be tested 

 would then run over one hundred. 

 As a matter of fact, for ordinary 

 growth characteristics, the "plain" 

 Boston fern types undoubtedly surpass 

 the others. 



Are there any other entrants? Any 

 omitted names? New ferns may be 

 entered in the competition. If de- 

 sired, the plants will be received with 

 the understanding that they will be 

 held strictly at the Botanic Garden 

 for comparative growth, and not sent 

 out to any of the other establishments 



