270 fte Carten'H .Stern. 



Woodsia Itoensis and W. obtusa are beautiful 

 small ferns. 



The curious walking-fern (Camptosorus rhi- 

 zophyllus) I have found difficult to establish, and 

 the charming little maiden-hair spleenwort (As- 

 plenium trickomants), though numerous speci- 

 mens of it live on from year to year, never looks 

 quite vigorous. A. ebencum, a larger species 

 from Oregon, I have found rather fastidious, as 

 also Ckeilanthes vestita and the delicate Crypto- 

 gramme acrostichoidcs. The distinct hartV 

 tongue {Scolopendrium vulgar e) does well with 

 me. Upward of fifty forms of the latter are 

 cultivated in England, many being of marked 

 beauty. AspUnium nigrum is an easily grown 

 small English fern which will grace any collec- 

 tion. Ceterach officinarum is likewise a very 

 distinct and handsome small British fern, though 

 not so easily grown as the latter. 



To grow the more delicate small ferns suc- 

 cessfully demands a favorable climate and location 

 with a thorough knowledge of their requirements, 

 and only true fern-lovers who are willing to devote 

 the necessary time and study will find it worth 

 while to attempt the cultivation of the greater 

 portion of the very beautiful smaller Filices. 



It is more satisfactory to collect ferns your- 

 self; they then become a pleasing reminder of 



