FERNS AND LYCOPODS. 103 



ASPIDIUM CAPENSE— Where a good, hardy, ornamental Fern is 

 wanted for decorative purposes, one that is cheaply got up and not 

 easily spoiled, A. capense will answer. From a well filled 6 or 8-inch 

 pot several dozen plants may be raised within a few months. It is a 

 greenhouse species requiring but little heat in Winter. 



ASPLENIUM— A very large genus. Only a very few of the species are 

 extensively grown, but none of them is on the short list of the best dec- 

 orative Ferns for florists. A. nidus, the Bird's-nest Fern, a native of 

 Australia, is a striking species with very large simple leaves. It must 

 have perfect drainage, rather rough and fibry soil, and a stove tempera- 

 ture. 



CIBOTIUM (Dicksonia) SCHIEDEI— A low-growing Tree-Fern, native 

 of Mexico. The fronds are of a light shade of green and very much divided, 

 those of young plants arching gracefully. It stands well in a dry 

 atmosphere. Young plants come readily from spores. Old plants some- 

 times make numerous growths at the base of the stem. If these are 

 taken off with a few roots attached and put in the sand bed for a few 

 weeks they make specimen plants very quickly. 



CYRTOniUM (Aspidium) FALCATUH, together with C. Fortunei and 

 A. caryotideum, arfe among the hardiest of the Ferns used for decorat- 

 ing, for which purpose they are much grown. The coolest house will do 

 for the plants after they are of the requisite size. The fronds are simply 

 pinnate, the pinnules resembling, to a certain extent, the leaf divisions 

 of the fish-tail Palm, Caryota urens. Young plants are raised from 

 spores. 



DAVALLIA — A genus of Ferns having scaly rhizomes which usually 

 creep along the surface of the soil and send out roots from their under 

 surfaces. Of the few species grown D. fijiensis plumosa is one of the 

 most ornamental, having very finely divided fronds. It must be grown 

 in a warm house. As it is not a deep rooting plant pans or baskets 

 should be used according to the purpose for which the plants are wanted. 

 It is propagated by division of the rhizomes while dormant. D. bullata, 

 D. pentaphylla, D. Tyermanni, and D. dissecta are well adapted for bas- 

 kets. Those made of wire should be selected, so that the rhizomes, as 

 they lengthen, may be pegged against the side. D. alpina and D. par- 

 vula are exceedingly pretty dwarf-growing species for a warm green- 

 house. D. stricta is grown as a pot plant; this species is easily raised 

 from spores. 



D. Mariesii is the species used in making up " Fern Balls." It is decidu- 

 ous and should be kept moist enough In Winter to prevent the rhizomes 

 from shrivelling. 



D. Mooreana is a desirable plant for house decoration, but is not 

 grown in quantity, owing to the difficulty of getting up a large stock 

 within a reasonable time. Those in a starved condition make the best 

 stock plants. 



DICKSONIA PAROMETZ is a very useful, medium-sized decorative 

 species. It is freely increased by division. 



