FERNS 



have been placed on the market. Most of 

 these have proved unsatisfactory, after a Httle, 

 as they showed a decided tendency to revert 

 to the original type. But there is one variety 

 that remains true to its variation from the 

 parent plant — Whitmani. This is a most 

 lovely plant. Its leaflets are miniature fronds, 

 so finely divided that the large frond has the 

 grace and fluffiness of a green plume. Its 

 fronds grow to about eighteen inches in length, 

 and are six inches in width, and as they are 

 very freely produced, the result is a most 

 charming plant, much better adapted to house- 

 use than the Boston Fern, because of its smaller 

 size. Like the parent variety, it is of the easi- 

 est culture. 



Every woman who visits our large green- 

 houses and sees Adiantum Ferns growing 

 there will want to *'try her luck" with them. 

 And this can not be wondered at, for few 

 plants equal them in beauty. But unless great 

 care is taken in the selection of variety, failure 

 almost invariably results. The foliage of most 

 Adiantums is so delicate in texture that it 

 soon withers in a hot, dry atmosphere. But 

 there is one variety that I can confidently re- 

 commend for amateur culture — Croweanum. 



203 



