CHAPTER X 

 FERNS FOR HANGING-BASKETS 



THERE is no better way of growing many Ferns than in 

 hanging-baskets suspended from the roof of the Fernery, 

 and in this manner their fullest beauty is developed. I 

 could give a long selection of varieties suitable for the 

 purpose. For those to be grown fully exposed to the 

 sun and light, the Nepbrolepis are the most suitable. I can 

 only mention a few here. The most popular is exaltata, 

 known in America as " The Boston Fern." For larger 

 baskets, ensifolia, which will make fronds fully six feet 

 long, may be recommended. The newer varieties, such 

 as todxoides, elegantissima, Fosteri, and Whitmanii y are all 

 suitable. For smaller baskets, pect'mata is one of the best, 

 though it is not quite so hardy as Philippinensis , which 

 is also a slender form, but has not quite such a light 

 drooping habit. Davallioides is a beautiful Fern with very 

 long, drooping fronds, but only suitable for the stove. 

 Goniophlebium subauriculatum, when suspended in the stove, 

 will make fronds fully six feet long ; in fact, under genial 

 conditions, the same fronds seem to continually extend. 

 Asplenium longissimum is another which can only be grown 

 in a suspended basket. This, I may mention, should have 

 some peat or light soil. I have seen it with fronds (hang- 

 ing down) which were fully eight feet long. Asplenium 

 caudatum is a similar species, and perhaps the most desir- 

 able, as it will grow freely under cooler treatment, and 

 is one of the prettiest Ferns we have for baskets. Any 

 of the bulbiferous section do well in baskets ; the 



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