a^S 



^ CULTIVATIOX AXD AXALISIS OF PLANTS. 



)'{j^\0\V\ to science as Filices, from the Latin, these flowerless plants 

 ^^■'- posses', a characteristic charm in their peculiar leafage or fronds. 

 > many prett}- forms of these leaves, and the various shades and 

 color, from a pure bright green to a golden yellow, are among 

 's Ion cliest products. They constitute a remarkable family of the 

 . sign. 1 ted Acrogenous, from two Greek words that signify increas- 

 ■ ^ iiij; 111 giouth from the extremity, which is one of the most conspicuous 



''classes of the Ci\ptogamous or Flowerless series. The whole Fern family, or 

 Oidei of Filices, is divided into eight suborders, six of which are represented 

 m the United States. It is only within a comparatively recent period that these 

 i lovelv members of the vegetable kingdom have been thought worthy of a place 



in collections of plants. Lacking the common element of conspicuous flowers, 

 with their accompanying attractions of brilliant coloring and fascinating fragrance, the 

 Ferns had long failed to elicit the admiration they deserve. But a more refined taste has 

 learned to fully appreciate their merits, and specimens are now brought together from 

 nearly every quarter of the world to adorn gardens, conservatories and parlors. In fact 

 many wealthy admirers build greenhouses for their exclusive cultivation. Some Ferns 

 from tropical and subtropical climes often have a tree-like appearance, while others from 

 colder regions are so dwarfish that they have frequently been mistaken for mosses by 

 those not possessed of a thorough and discriminating botanical knowledge. Many of 

 them succeed well as common house-plants when kept out of drying winds or currents 

 of cold air, care being taken to dampen their fronds daily. Some are hardy enough to 

 endure excessive heat as well as ordinary winds, with the simple provision of supplying 

 enough of moisture at the roots. The Lomeria Gibbii will even grow best in a strong 

 sunshine; also the Scolopendrium vulgare, the Poly podium vulgare, and the Adiantum 

 capillis-veneris will grow well in an exposed situation. Some Ferns, as the Adiantum 

 cuneatum, A. trapeziforme, A. Farleyense, Lygodium palmatum, and many others, will 

 only grow well in moist, still situations, as in a Wardian case or in a quiet nook sheltered 

 by other plants. 



As a generally good, manufactured soil for most Ferns, chopped sphagnum, or gray 

 bog-moss, common loam, broken charcoal or potsherds, and sharp, silver sand, all well 

 mixed in about equal parts, cannot be surpassed. 



Ferns are often found growing on inaccessible rocks near mountain streams, or in the 

 valleys, in the woods or on the prairies, varying in size and form. One that most delights 

 in rocky places, is a curiosity of its kind, and is familiarly known as the Traveling Fern. 

 Its leaves bend over until the tips touch the earth, where they readily strike root and form 

 new plants. These doing likewise, the whole constitute a network of Ferns often cover- 

 ing several square yards. All the foregoing species of Ferns are evergreens, and every 

 house or yard may be beautifully decorated at little or no expense by a collection of 

 native Ferns, the many and various members of which may be picked up in country 

 rambles. A good guide to their successful cultivation would be to note the soil and loca- 

 tion where they naturally Houiish best, and endeavor to reproduce in their new home the 



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