XXVII. FERNS 



O collection of plants can 

 be considered complete if 

 it does not include some 

 member of the Fern family. 

 Perhaps the most popu- 

 lar variety is the Boston 

 Fern, catalogued as Ne- 

 phrolepis Bostoniensis. It 

 has gracefully drooping fronds often five and 

 six feet in length, and there will be so many of 

 them, in a well-grown specimen, that the effect 

 is that of a fountain of greenery. It is of easy 

 culture. About the only care it requires in the 

 way of pruning is to remove the runners that 

 are sent out from the old plant. To secure 

 the best results keep the plant to one crown, 

 promptly removing those that form about the 

 old one. Give it a position where it can 

 develop its luxuriant branches without inter- 

 ference from other plants, and it becomes a 

 magnificent plant that will fill a large window. 

 If crowded in among other plants it is spoiled. 

 Of late several sports of the Boston Fern 



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