THE RATTLESNAKE FERN 



them from mildew and decay. The young crosiers 

 may be cooked and eaten like asparagus. These are 

 often sold in the Japanese market. In some places 

 in Europe the roots have been ground and mixed with 

 flour in making bread. 



Houses have been thatched with the large bracken 

 fronds. In some parts of the world they are used as 

 a bedding for cattle. The fresh plants are sometimes 

 of service in tanning light leathers, as they contain 

 much tannic and other acids. In Scotland they used 

 to be burned when green. Then the ashes were made 

 into balls to be used instead of soap. 



The bracken is very hard to transplant and start 

 in a new place; but when once started it is just as 

 difficult to root it out. 



THE RATTLESNAKE FERN 



ONE of the ferns that grows in the woods is the 

 rattlesnake fern. It does not like the sunshine. It 

 seems to delight in dim, moist hollows, but soon dis- 

 appears from a place when the trees are removed. 



Early in May you will find the hairy leaf buds 

 just unfolding. Let us see how this fern grows. 



A tangle of thick, fleshy roots extends horizontally 

 a few inches under ground. From this comes a single 

 frond. If you look at the picture, you will see that 



33 



