26 rOLYPODIUM VULGAllE. 



profusion of Ferns that luxuriate amongst the rock-work, and 

 completely clothe the house on the road side on the highway 

 from Ambleside to Wordsworth's lovely residence at Rydal. 

 This house is occupied by a poor old man, a Fern collector, 

 from whom can be procured most of the Ferns of the district, 

 if he is still alive. Several years ago, when I visited the 

 spot, the Polypodium vulgare was growing most healthfully on 

 the side of this house, associated with varieties of Scolopendrium 

 vulgare, Polystichum angulare, the Lady Fern, Male Fern, 

 Osmunda regalis, etc., interspersed with different species of 

 club moss. The man himself was ficcentric, but intelligent, 

 and an excellent pilot to those who, like myself, secured 

 his services as a guide to the different habitats of the Lake 

 Ferns. The visitor to the English Lakes must not overlook 

 this remarkable house, which, I believe, is the oldest in 

 Ambleside. 



Polypodium vulgare requires a peculiar treatment under 

 cultivation, — an imitation of nature as closely as possible. The 

 Ferns must be planted where they can take undisturbed 

 possession of the place selected, as it is only when well 

 established that they become really beautiful, and this occupies 

 time to accomplish, — three or four years at least. The locality 

 should be shady, cool, and damp, without having stagnant 

 moisture, for the roots cannot bear to grow in a drenched 

 soil. The soil to be prepared should be composed of leaf-mould, 

 or a vegetable compost, interspersed with a cool, but not too 

 moist clay or garden mould. The soil must be light and 

 porous, not stiff and retentive. The rhizoma should not be 

 buried in the ground, but fastened close down to it, the roots 

 alone being covered. The creeping stems seem to require 

 both air and light. When once established, the growth of the 

 branching rhizoma is rapid. 



There are many handsome varieties of Polypodium vulgare, 

 amongst which Acutum-Stansfieldii, Cristatum, Crenatum, 

 Camhricum, Compositum, Marginatum, Omnilacerum, Ohtusum, 

 Pulchcrrimum, Semilacerum, Serrulatum, and Truncatum are the 

 most distinct. Some varieties are more permanent than others, 

 and seedling plants from well-marked fronds will be more 

 permanent in character than divisions of the rhizoma, although 

 by this means other varieties will frequently appear; never- 



