368 THE PRINCIPLES OF FLORICULTURE 



exactly. It grows best in rather large pots, which should 

 have excellent drainage. 



584. Maidenhair ferns, botanical classification. - 

 Order, Polypodiacese ; genus, Adiantum (Greek, unwetted, 

 referring to the delicate character of the fronds) ; species, 

 about 40. The most important are : caudatum; curva- 

 tum; hispidulum; macrophyllum ; trapeziforme ; -inter- 

 medium; 'formosum; novce-caledonice ; tenerum; excisum; 



% cuneatum ; Wagneri; villosum ; Farleyense ; gracillimum ; 

 bellum ; Moorei ; Capillus-Veneris; Croweanum. 



Habitat. Largely tropical, of wide distribution. A 

 few are native of the temperate zone. 



585. Propagation. Propagation is by runners from 

 tips of fronds for A. caudatum; by division of the root- 

 stocks for hybridum, Croiceanum and Farleyense. The 

 others are propagated by spores. 



586. Culture. Most of the maidenhair ferns are 

 easily cultivated. One of the easiest to grow and the 

 hardiest and most compact variety is Croweanum. It is 

 the one most used in commercial work, the fronds being 

 utilized in designs or bouquets. Croweanum makes an ex- 

 cellent house plant, as do also curvatum and hispidulum; 

 Capillus-Veneris is also easily grown. One of the most 

 popular species, and one most difficult to grow, is Far- 

 leyense. It requires an even temperature of 70 to 75, 

 and a light, airy location. Too much moisture in the air is 

 injurious. The fronds are very easily injured, and because 

 of their drooping character, the plants should be set on 

 inverted pots and given an abundance of space. The 

 other species are comparatively easy to grow. They all 

 require a rich loam soil, mixed with one-half leaf-mold. 

 They like a partly shaded location and a moderately 

 moist atmosphere. When grown as house plants a north 



