FERNS. 191 



MEETING FOR DISCUSSION. 

 Ferns. 



By George E. Davem-ort, Medford. 



The propriety of this moruiug's discussion in connection Avith 

 the legitimate work of this Society may perhaps be questioned, as 

 the relationship is not at first apparent. I am confident, however, 

 that it Avill appear, as we go on, that ferns constitute an important 

 factor in our natural and social economy, and are entitled to be 

 considered as something more than mere botanical specimens for 

 the herbarium. 



One of the most gratifying features in the growth and develop- 

 ment of our Society during the past few years, has been it& 

 increasing disposition to encourage artistic taste and feeling in the 

 different branches of its work. It was for this reason that those 

 somewhat anomalous table and mantel decorations shown during 

 the grand exhibition given by the Society in August, 1890, were 

 justifiable. Such decorative exhibitions call forth the highest 

 artistic faculties of the exhibitor, and awaken corresponding 

 faculties in the minds of the observers. The keener the competi- 

 tion, the broader is the outcome, reaching out to the cultivator, 

 who becomes animated with the desire to improve still further and 

 in every way he can, the material upon which the exhibitor 

 depends for his selections. 



If, happily, the exhibitor cultivates his own material, as many 

 do, then is he continually seeking for, and studying choice combi- 

 nations of color and form in order to produce the most artistic and 

 pleasing effects possible, and in this way he becomes a public 

 benefactor and educator. 



You cannot fail to remember the prevalence of ferns in that 

 exhibition, and will readily call to mind the pleasing effects 

 produced by the free use of the graceful and delicate maiden-hair 

 ferns in some of the table decorations, and see at once how closely 

 associated ferns are Avith the florist's art. So that here at the very 

 outset we trespass upon the florist's province and demonstrate the 

 right of these elegant and beautiful plants, the ferns, to become 

 members of our horticultural fraternity. 



The florist finds his colors among the flowering and foliage 

 plants, but is obliged to seek for the highest perfection of form 



