92 THE DICTIONARY OF GARDENING, 
Aspidium—continued. 
abundant, and where few other Ferns would hold their 
own. 
The British portion of the group Polystichum is repre- 
sented by the Prickly Shield Fern and its numerous 
varieties, all of which are free-growing, easily-managed, 
and very desirable for either the outdoor rockery, the indoor 
Fernery, or pot culture, as all are evergreen, delighting 
in a mixture of sandy loam and fibrous peat in equal 
parts, resting on a sound drainage. Although, 
when once established, the influence of strong 
light is not injurious to them, they produce 
much finer foliage when placed in a shady 
situation during the growing season. They 
require to be freely supplied with water at 
the roots: they must also be kept constantly 
moist during the winter.- British Aspidiums 
are also excellent subjects for pot culture, as 
they bear indoor treatment much better than 
most native Ferns. Their propagation (ex- 
cept in cases of rare varieties, which are only 
increased by division of the crowns) is usually ~ 
effected by means of spores; these are pro- 
duced in great abundance, and if sown as 
they ripen, at the end of the summer, ger- 
minate rapidly, and make, during the following 
summer, young plants which are very valuable 
for the decoration of the greenhouse and of 
the conservatory during the ensuing winters. 
The deservedly popular Ferns commonly known under 
the name of (yrtomiwm are amongst the most useful of 
decorative plants, on account of their rapid growth and 
their firm, leathery texture, besides being all very distinct 
and particularly handsome. They are indeed the best 
Ferns to use in the least favoured places—in rooms and 
on staireases, where their fronds seem to defy draughts, 
smoke, and even gas, better than any other Ferns with 
which we are acquainted. Their bold and shining foliage 
forms a striking contrast to that of finer-cut species 
when planted out in the cool Fernery, under which treat- 
ment they develop into handsome specimens in an in- 
credibly short time, and show themselves to great 
advantage. For that special purpose, Aspidiums of the 
Cyrtomium group are of the greatest value, as by the 
use of them additional charm may be given to the 
rockery not heated artificially, but simply protected by 
glass, where they, being of an evergreen nature, retain 
their beauty during the whole of the winter months. 
The soil which suits Aspidiums best is a compost of 
about equal parts fibrous loam, peat, and silver-sand ; 
but care must be taken that they are not potted 
hard, or, if planted out in the Fernery, that the soil 
round them is kept moderately loose. They require an 
abundant supply of water at the roots during the growing 
season, and frequent syringings overhead are beneficial 
during that time, but they should be watered sparingly 
Fic. 84. FROND OF ASPIDIUM FALCATUM. 
Aspidium—continued. 
during winter. The propagation of plants of this section, 
like that of most other Aspidiums, is best effected by 
means of spores, which are abundantly produced, and 
which germinate very freely if sown as soon as gathered. 
Amongst Aspidiums the Holly Fern (A. Lonchitis) is 
somewhat fapricious under cultivation, althongh when 
established it will thrive in the greenhouse and luxuriate 
for a time in stove temperature. The best mode of treat- 
Fic. 83. FROND OF ASPIDIUM ACROSTICHOIDES. 
ment, however, is that advocated by Mr. W. Reeve. He 
has grown it most successfully in the cool house, where it 
was constantly shaded and standing upon a cool, damp 
bottom. He employed a compost of sandy loam and peat 
in equal parts, with a liberal admixture of sharp sand. It 
may be cultivated upon the outdoor rockery, but great care 
is necessary, as it is a very shy plant to establish itself in 
dry, exposed situations. Mr. Reeve remarks that “a - 
shady part of the rockery must be selected, where it can be 
kept constantly damp without ever being wet,” and that it 
will not stand stagnant moisture; also that it must be 
planted firmly in the above-mentioned compost as early in 
the spring as possible, and that if a hand- or bell-glass can 
be kept over it for a short time it is all the better, as this 
will maintain the soil moist about it for some time without 
the application of much water, after which it should be 
gradually inured to more air. It is usually increased by 
means of its spores, which should be sown as soon as ripe, 
for the division of its crowns, when several are produced, 
is at all times, and even under the most favourable 
conditions, considered a very risky operation. 
Though perfectly hardy in most parts of this country, 
A. acrostichoides proves most useful when grown all 
the year round in either the cold house or the con- 
servatory. Its handsome fronds, being of good substance, 
are very useful for entting, and are admirably adapted for 
mixing with flawers. It is a species which thrives best in 
sandy peat and leaf-mould, with an abundance 
of water at the roots all the year round. 
A. acrostichoides.* Christmas Fern. In North 
America the fronds (see Fig. 83) of this species are 
largely used for Christmas decoration. 
A. aculeatum acrocladon (branched at_apex).* 
fronds 13ft. long, rich green, narrow, the pinne in 
the lower portion again divided to the midrib; 
apex of the fronds three-branched and repeatedly 
forked. An exquisite variety. 
A. a. lobatum (lobed). A striking variety, chiefly 
distinguished from the type in its much shorter, 
more crowded, and less scaly pinne ; the pinnules 
are also more nearly entire. 
A. a. pulcherrimum (very pxetty). fronds un- 
‘ .crested and quite harren ; pinnules elongated and 
ss curved sickle-fashion, imparting a peculiar beauty 
to the frond. : 
Other more or less rare varieties are: argutwm, 
erassum, cristato-gracile, cristatum, densum, furcatum, 
interruptum, Moritzianum, multifidum, plumosum, 
pulchrum, setosum, and tsussimense. 
