HARDY FERNS FOR INDOOR CULTURE 73 



through or over the head of a Lilliputian 

 fern jungle, and it adds a decorative feature 

 to piazza furnishings. 



The limited list of summer ferns for use 

 indoors is nearly all of the dryopteris family. 

 Dryopteris spinulosa, var. intermedia, is by 

 far the most satisfactory. It is a beautiful 

 fern of good texture; it is easily uprooted, 

 rarely wilts, and will thrive anywhere if given 

 decent treatment. It excels all other species 

 in its indifference to change of light. Many 

 ferns turn yellow and look sickly if transferred 

 from the open to a dimly lighted parlour. It 

 is no small feat, however, to get a good large 

 plant unbroken out of a tangled mass of un- 

 derbrush. There is but one way, to tuck 

 the roots under one's arms, holding the fronds 

 back with the elbow, and then go ahead. I 

 have thus secured many superb plants in per- 

 fect condition for indoor decoration. 



The type shield fern (D. spinulosa) is also 

 of service. It usually grows more in the 

 open than either of its varieties, hence requires 

 a well-lighted room in order to hold its own. 



