WINDOW AND ROOM PLANTS 191 



not possess. We will name a few species that will thrive in 

 rooms with care. First we will name two exotic ferns: 



Adiantum cuneatunt, the Maidenhair. 



Pteris serrulata cristata, the Crested Ribbon Fern. 



We will not say that the beautiful Maidenhair is an easy 

 plant to manage successfully in a room, 

 for it is not. It will not thrive in a 

 room that is alternately hot and cold, 

 is lit by open gas-burners, and is 

 ill-ventilated. At the same time, we 

 know of plants which have remained 

 in excellent condition for several years 

 in rooms. They were never subjected 

 to cold, cutting draughts, but on the 

 other hand they were not in gas- 

 poisoned air. Great care in watering 

 is necessary, and the plants must not A shows where to divide the 

 be allowed to get frozen. 



The Ribbon Fern does very well in 

 a room, with care. It is charming in 

 a small state for dining-tables, or for grouping with vases of cut 

 flowers on occasional tables. 



Any of the following British ferns may be tried in a room : 



DIVIDING AND REPOTTING 

 MAIDENHAIR FERNS 



of roots; 



B shows the crocks being removed ; C 

 shows the half of ball of roots potted in 

 compost D ; E, E, two halves of ball of 

 roots and soil. 



Adiantum capillus-vtneris, the British 



Maidenhair. 



Asplenium marinum, the Sea Spleenwort. 

 Athyrium filix-foemina, the lady fern. 

 Lastrea filix-mas, the male fern. 



Onoclea sensibilis. 



Polystichum angulare prolifentm, a shield 



fern. 

 Scolopendrium vulgare, the Hart's-tongue. 



The best time for repotting ferns is the spring. The compost 

 recommended for palms may be altered to the extent of reducing 

 the quantity of loam by one-half, and substituting peat. A very 

 good time to repot is when the new fronds are seen to be moving. 



