276' THE FLORAL WOULD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



in shape, and the entire plant has an elegant drooping habit, and is 

 evergreen. Its moderate size makes it a good pot plant. It is found 

 in Ireland and the western parts of Eugland. 



Athyrium ffilix-fcemina, or lady fern, is the most handsome 

 and graceful of all British wild ferns. No one among them can 

 equal its exquisite beauty of outline. It is of a tufted habit of 

 growth, the fronds rising in circular fashion from a crown, and 

 varying from one to four feet in height, according to situation, 

 appearing in April or May, and dying down with the first fro^t of 

 autumn. They are broadly lanceolate in shape, and divided; the 

 divisions also lanceolate, subdivided, and more or less lobed round 

 the margins, which are sharply toothed, giving the entire plant an 

 exquisite gracefulness of outline. 



It is a splendid plant for a pot when a large specimen is required, 

 and is the easiest of all the British wild ferns to cultivate, requiring 

 plenty of room and moisture. 



Among the many varieties of the lady fern, multifidum, crispum, 

 and Frizellice are among the best. 



Folystichum angulare, or the soft prickly shield fern, is a very 

 common fern in some localities. It is a very strong-growing species 

 of the shield lerns. The fronds, which rise in a tufted circular 

 manner from a crown, vary from two to lour feet in height, are 

 lanceolate in form, and divided, and supported by shaggy, chaffy, 

 brownish scaled stipes. The divisions are also lanceolated and 

 divided into neat prickly toothed, shield-shaped pinnae or leaflets, 

 darkish green in colour. This fern is nearly evergreen, the fronds 

 remaining green through a moderate winter till the young fresh 

 ones appear in spring. 



As a large specimen for pot or rockwork, it is a very desirable 

 fern, of very easy cultivation. 



Cristatum is a curious and beautiful variety, the points of the 

 fronds and divisions being tasselled and crested much like the crested 

 male fern. 



Polysticlium aculeaium, or common prickly shield fern, is very 

 like the preceding, only it has a more rigid habit ; the pinnae or 

 leaflets are smaller, of a dark shining green, and of a harsh rigid 

 texture. It is much commoner than P. angulare, being met with 

 almost everywhere, and is also nearly evergreen, remaining green 

 through moderate winters in moist situations. It is very easily 

 cultivated, and makes a good pot plant when large specimens are 

 required. It does well in rockwork. 



GREENHOUSE FERNS AND MOSSES FOE WINDOW GARDENING. 



Our list of suitable ferns for window gardening would not be 

 complete without a few of the hardier greenhouse species and 

 varieties. Those of our readers who have a miniature greenhouse 

 can grow many of the hardy greenhouse ferns very well if care be 

 taken to keep them properly watered and shaded from the sun's 

 warm rays. Ferns, as a rule, do not love the sunshine, thriving 

 best in moist, shady places. This should be borne in mind by my 

 readers. Try, therefore, to supply your ferns with the necessary 



