96 THE BOOK OF FERN CULTURE 



pinnae. All the side pinnae terminate in a light crest. 

 ramo-cristata, crispa cristata, and others are very pretty. 



Lastrea dilatata. This has large fronds of a soft texture. 

 The side divisions are rather distantly placed on a long 

 rachis. Under ordinary culture the fronds attain to from 

 two to three feet in length, but may be found with larger 

 fronds. This is deciduous, and dies down early in the 

 Autumn. Is is only suitable for growing in the open 

 where space is not limited, but there are several very 

 pretty crested forms which should be included in any 

 collection of hardy Ferns. 



Pteris aquilina (the Common Bracken). It is hardly 

 necessary to refer to this Fern except to say that where 

 it is desirous to establish it the best means is by planting 

 seedlings which have been raised and grown on in pots. 

 Planted out in the spring, they will get a good start 

 before the following winter. Many failures have occurred 

 where the old rhizomes have been replanted. There are 

 some rather pretty crested varieties, and in a young state 

 they are very pretty when grown in pots. 



Cetrach officinarum is a distinct Fern, but not of great 

 value for ordinary culture. It is rarely found except 

 growing on old walls, and when grown in pots old 

 mortar rubble should be mixed with the soil, and plenty 

 of drainage should be given. This Fern rarely makes 

 fronds more than a few inches long with short rounded 

 pinnae, the under surface of the fronds being clothed 

 with brown hairy scales, and the surface of a silvery grey 

 shade. 



Botrychium lunaria (the Moonwort) and Ophioglossum 

 vulgatum (the Adder's-tongue Fern) are interesting 

 curiosities, but of little decorative value. They may be 

 classed with the flowering Ferns ; each produces a solitary 

 frond with the fertile portion rising from the base of the 

 leafy fronds. They are found growing in meadows 

 and are difficult to re-establish. 



