224 Commercial Gardening 



tropical regions, chiefly valuable for the decoration of large conservatories, 

 &c., where plenty of space is available. Amongst the best -known kinds 

 are A. excelsa, which is practically hardy in the mildest parts of the king- 

 dom; A. Rebeccce, from Australia, another fairly hardy species; A. australis, 

 a beautiful Australian tree Fern requiring coolhouse treatment; while 

 A. aculeata (or ferox) and A. armata, both from Tropical America, should 

 be grown in the stove. 



Anemia. This genus is recognized by having the sterile branches once, 

 twice, or thrice pinnately divided, the two lower side branches being erect 

 and spore-bearing, and quite distinct from the other fronds. These Ferns 

 (all natives of Tropical America) are seen occasionally in market, in small 

 (2|-in.) pots, as they are somewhat too tender. The kinds grown are 

 A. Phyllitidis, which has many varieties; and A. rotundifolia, having 

 long narrow drooping fronds with roundish pinnae about 1 in. wide, tinted 

 with purple when young. 



Angiopteris evecta, This is a remarkable Fern from the Old World 

 Tropics, having twice or thrice pinnate fronds 6-15 ft. long, and gracefully 

 spreading. It requires stove treatment; but owing to its great size is only 

 met with in large establishments. Small plants, however, are obtainable 

 for 3s. or 4s. 



Aspidium (SHIELD FERN). A very large genus, now including Cyrto- 

 mium and Polystichum, and having representatives in the tropical and 

 temperate regions. A. (Polystichum) aculeatum is a well-known species 

 called the " Hard or Prickly Shield Fern ". It has twice-pinnate stiffish 

 fronds about 2 ft. long, and is quite hardy. A. angulare, the " Soft Shield 

 Fern", is considered a variety of it, but is a very distinct plant; and there 

 are almost innumerable varieties having the fronds beautifully crested, 

 lobed, and tasselled, and much admired by hardy-Fern specialists. 



A. (Polystichum) Lonchitis, another hardy species, known as the " Holly 

 Fern", must not be confused with the greenhouse species A. (Cyrtomium) 

 falcatum, also called " Holly Fern ". It grows wild in the Scottish High- 

 lands and has fronds 1-2 ft. long. 



A. (Gyrtomium) falcatum. This is the "Holly Fern" of the market 

 grower. It is found widely distributed in Japan, China, the Himalayas, 

 Madagascar, the Sandwich Islands, and South Africa. It is grown in 

 thousands for market, and may be recognized by its ovate pointed pinnae, 

 which, in the glossy -green colour and appearance, remind one of some- 

 varieties of Holly. The variety caryotideum is somewhat larger, more 

 sharply toothed, slightly lobed, and sometimes auricled on both sides at the 

 base. Rochfordi is a very beautiful variety with large fimbriated fronds. 

 It is a great improvement on the type, and is a strong grower. It stands 

 travel well, and is likely to become better known in market work. It 

 is easily raised from spores. Another variety is Fensoni. The spore 

 clusters are scattered over the lower surface. The Holly Fern is easily 

 grown in a cool greenhouse, and is very popular for house decoration, 

 cool ferneries, &c. It flourishes in loam, peat, and sand in equal proper- 



