Se ee te ee Bt 
EXPERIENCES WITH A FERN GARDEN—III 1§ 
Of course, location has a great deal to do with these 
Stages and may change the date by a week or even two. 
Some species of ferns wither with the first frosts or 
soon after the freezing nights of October have set in; 
but others are decidedly evergreen or have a tendency 
in this direction, During the last week in November, 
1914, the species of ferns still entirely green were the 
Marginal shield fern, spinulose shield fern, the sterile 
fronds of the crested fern, the polypody, cliff brake, 
dwarf spleenwort, ebony spleenwort, especially the 
sterile fronds, walking fern, and Christmas fern, and 
the grape ferns of course were beautifully bronzed. 
Goldie’s shield fern still was green, but the fronds were 
tying and apparently frozen. The male fern and 
obtuse woodsia had a few green fronds, mainly the 
younger ones, most of those of the male fern being dark 
bronze; and a small number of maidenhair fronds also 
were green but drying. 
In spring, about the beginning of April, I remove 
Tubbish and superfluous covering from the fern bed, 
Cut off the dead and imperfect fronds, fasten the plants 
lifted by freezing, and give them other attention that 
may be necessary, 
On March 27, 1915, when I attended to this annual 
house-cleaning, the marginal shield fern, polypody , 
Warf spleenwort, Christmas fern, cliff brake, walking 
fern, and the grape ferns were still entirely green or 
“Most so, The sterile fronds and a few of the fertile 
ds of the ebony spleenwort and most of the sterile 
fronds of the crested fern were still green. A majority 
Of the fronds of the spinulose shield fern, especially the 
latter Ones or those protected by leaves, were green and 
tn appearance. Even a few fronds of obtuse 
Woodsia, Sheltered by leaves, were green, but several 
‘t fronds, which evidently had remained green while 
drying, Were dead and brittle. A few fronds of Goldie’s 
