"202 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



there on our lawns, bj' giving to them a rich bed of natural soil, 

 no manure, but plenty of water, and spraying occasionally with 

 hellebore to keep off the insects which are liable to prove the only 

 real difficulty in the way of cultivating tine specimens. I have 

 -only time to mention as among the finest of such ferns, beside 

 the Ostrich fern already mentioned, Aspidium Goldianum and A. 

 Filix-mas, Aspleniiim Filix-foemina ^ and the Osmundas. These, 

 and similar ferns with stout caudiciform rootstocks forming large 

 crowns, will thrive better in garden soil than those ferns with 

 running rootstocks like the Chain ferns, the Sensitive fern or the 

 Brake, and others, which require more moisture and consequently 

 thrive best in wet places. 



The one guide of all others to follow in cultivating our native 

 ferns is to observe carefully the conditions under Avhich the species 

 reaches its highest development and to endeavor to supply them as 

 far as possible when transplanting. 



Among the smaller ferns are many hardy species well adapted for 

 rockeries, which mn.y be so cultivated, readily, by giving to them 

 as nearly as possible conditions similar to those of their native 

 habitats. Even those not hardy may be so grown during the 

 summer months, and afterward taken into the conservatory or 

 house, for the ferner}^ during winter. Among the latter are some 

 ■of our loveliest ferns, some species having fronds beautifully and 

 delicatelj^ cut into numerous bead-like segments, or more or less 

 ■covered with differently colored scales, or powder, like the Gold 

 and Silver ferns of California. 



"We are now approaching the best time of all the yexix for begin- 

 ning the study of ferns. A few weeks more and they will be push- 

 ing up their graceful fronds everywhere in woods and ravines. 

 From their moss}' couches on springy hummocks in swampy 

 meadows the noble Osnumdas will shortly rise and cast aside the 

 -downy coverings which have enveloped and protected them during 

 their period of rest ; while along the stony brooksides the Maiden- 

 hair and Lady fern will be unfolding their beautiful tresses that 

 have been bound up in tiglit coils so long. You will have to search 

 carefully among the stones for the young fronds of the IMaiden- 

 hair as they are scattered along underground rootstocks, but 3'ou 

 may know the Lad}' fern by her bronze or ebonj' crosiers — a name 

 given to what we might call the nests of young fronds as they lie 

 snugly tucked up in their winter beds, on account of their fancied 

 resemblance to a bishop's crook. 



