FERNS AND LYCOPODS. 153 



D. antarctica The stems of this noble Tree- Fern are sometimes im- 

 ported in a dormant state. When placed in a cool, moist house in pots 

 only large enough to accommodate them, they usually start into 

 growth, ^oung plants are raised from spores sown in a cool, shaded 

 greenhouse. They sometimes germinate freely sown on the stems of the 

 old plants. The fronds are of a leathery texture, and the plants stand 

 much rough treatment. 



LOMARIA GIBBA is a miniature Tree-Fern forming very graceful 

 rosettes of simply divided leaves. It is useful even in a very small state, 

 as the foliage is different from that of most other Ferns grown in quantity 

 for decorative purposes. Old plants produce fertile fronds in abun- 

 dance, and if the spores are harvested and sown at the proper time, they 

 vegetate very quickly. By this method of increase, plants in 5-inch pots 

 may be produced in 12 months from sowing. Of this species there are 

 one or two handsome forms. L. g. Belli has the points of the pinnae 

 beautifully tasselled. L. g. robusta is of a robust growing nature. A 

 species closely allied to L. gibba, known as L. ciliata, has shorter and 

 stouter fronds. The plant is quite as useful and as easily raised from 

 spores as L. gibba. 



MICROLEPIA (Davallia ) HIRTA CRIST ATA is one of the handsomest 

 of crested Ferns, capable of being grown into very large, symmetrical 

 specimens. To have it at its best it needs a warm temperature. Water 

 should be kept from the fronds, as they are quite hairy and are apt to 

 turn brown when kept wet. Increased by division. 



NEPHROLEPIS The species and forms are for the most part plants 

 with tough, leathery fronds, enabling them to be used with little injury 

 for decorating or house plants. Several varieties are largely grown. 

 The most popular are forms of N. exaltata. N. e. bostoniensis is an old 

 and deservedly popular plant which has within the last few years been 

 very extensively employed as a decorative plant. Large specimens are 

 well adapted for placing on pedestals, or hanging from the roof of a 

 large conservatory. It is increased by division, planting the pieces in 

 shallow soil, on benches, and potting up the young plants, which are 

 formed from runners. Within the past few years several remarkable 

 plumed varieties of this fern have made their appearance and are much 

 grown as decorative plants ; these are known as Piersoni, Scottii, Am- 

 erpohli, Whitmani. Scholzeli, etc. The plant known as N. davallioides 

 furcans is a crested form, evidently not of N. davallioides but of some 

 other species, probably one allied to N. acuta. When planted out on 

 benches it gives off plants from runners in the same manner as the Boston 

 Fern, but not so plentifully. Old specimens may be divided and the 

 pieces put thickly together on a bench, in leaf mould and sand, to make 

 a little growth before potting. 



N. washingtoniensis and N. w. pendula are both good kinds for decora- 

 tive purposes. The fronds after being cut will last for a long time un- 

 der what would seem adverse conditions. 



N. cordifolia, when well grown, is an elegant decorative subject. The 

 typical form is much smaller than any of the above-mentioned species 



