92 THE BOOK OF FERN CULTURE 



many distinct forms are found ; but most of the crested 

 varieties have been raised under cultivation. Although 

 found under such widely different conditions, they 

 succeed best on shady banks where there is a good 

 depth of light loamy soil, the leaves which accumulate 

 providing new material for the surface roots. They 

 are most readily propagated from spores, except in a 

 few instances. S. v. crispum, which has been found 

 growing wild in several localities, has rarely been known 

 to produce spores. It is one of the most beautiful 

 varieties, having broad undulated fronds, with a fringed 

 edge. This may be propagated from the stipes (or 

 stems) of well-matured fronds. Cut in lengths of about 

 an inch or rather shorter, if put into clean sand, which 

 should be just moist enough to keep the cuttings from 

 shrivelling, bulbils will be formed, and later on young 

 plants will spring up. After the bulbils have begun to 

 form a little more moisture may be given. In S. v. 

 Kefavayii, which is of very dense multifid growth, tiny 

 bulbils are formed on the margins of the well-developed 

 segments, and if these are taken off carefully and treated 

 as young seedlings they will soon make plants. S. v. 

 Coolingi is another name for the above. In S. v. cristatum 

 viviparum, which was found in Ireland, bulbils are formed 

 on the surface of the fronds, and young plants may be 

 established from them. Of the crested varieties, those 

 with the broad, spreading, terminal growth are the most 

 remarkable. In raising plants from spores many interest- 

 ing variations occur, and if to start with some of the 

 best defined types are selected, many further variations 

 may be obtained from the seedlings. It should be noted 

 that it is not until the second or third year that the best 

 characters are developed. If seedlings can be planted 

 out in an old pit under a wall, or other shady position, 

 they will give little trouble, and the best can be selected 

 as they come into character. 



