FERNS. 201 



produce directly new plants. Sometimes bulbs germinate while on 

 the parent plant, and specimens may often be gathered having young- 

 ferns growing out from different parts of the old fronds. 



Still another mode of increase is by underground runners, or 

 stolons, extending from the old rootstock, and foi-ming new crowns 

 from which new plants arise. The best example of this that I 

 know of is the Ostrich fern, an old rootstock of which will send 

 out runners to start new plants, which, in time, will send out new 

 runners radiating in all directions until a whole colony of plants 

 springs up and takes possession of an extended area. From a 

 single plant of this species set out in my own grounds some ten 

 years ago, T counted last season over forty crowns all of which are 

 probably connected together by means of these stolons. It will be 

 seen from this how readily such species may be propagated by 

 separating the crowns, and as the Ostrich fern is one of the noblest 

 and most attractive of our native ferns, every lover of beautiful 

 forms having a place for it should cultivate it. 



This brings us to the most vital part of our subject to those of 

 you who may be interested in ferns otherwise than botanically. 

 Of what use are ferns, and why should we regard them witli any 

 special favor? 



We have already seen that they are of use to the ilorist in fur- 

 nishing him with graceful forms to add charm to his decorations, 

 and I claim further for our native ferns that they not only equal 

 exotic ferns in loveliness but that they may be cultivated as easily 

 and made to render our homes and gardens more attractive. 



We have only to glance over some of the foreign catalogues of 

 plants to see how highly prized our ferns are abroad, and how ex- 

 tensively they are cultivated, and then to wonder why they do not 

 receive more attention here. I am under no necessity for making 

 a plea for them as beautiful objects in nature, capable of inspiring 

 the liveliest emotions of pleasure in the minds of those Avho seek 

 them out for the enjoyment derived from a contemplation of their 

 many graces and the study of their peculiarities for botanical or 

 scientific purposes, but I press upon you their claims to a more 

 favorable consideration as desirable plants for your gardens and 

 your homes. 



Many species of our larger ferns with a little careful attention 

 may be grown into grand and imposing specimens alternating Avitli 

 other plants along garden borders, or in suitable places here and 



