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Some HortTicuLTuRAL FERN VARIATIONS 15 
(Fig. 1) and the unnamed sport (Fig. 2) both are sports 
from elegantissima-compacta, the first representing a 
full reversion to a once-pinnate condition, the second, 
a partial reversion, since it has lobed pinnae. Viridis- 
sima, (Fig. 4) is the revert of swperbissima, and shows the 
stiff dwarf leaf of this variety together with its twisted 
pinnae. In general, reversion is a most prolific source 
of new varieties. All more than once pinnate forms tend 
to produce reverts but these appear never to go all the 
way back to bostoniensis, nor do they ever exactly 
agree with each other. 
It should be noted that almost all of these varieties 
are vegetatively produced. Few or no fertile spores 
develop, the sporangia seeming generally abortive. 
New plants are grown from runners which spring from 
near the bases of the leaves. 
For house cultivation, the old Boston is still the best. 
Next come large once-pinnate forms with wavy pinnae, 
Harrisi and Roosevelti, and the once-pinnate dwarfs, 
Scotti and Teddy Jr. Whitmani, elegantissima, and 
Scholzeli are the best sorts of the two to three pinnate. 
The more finely divided varieties are extremely beauti- 
ful but require greenhouse conditions for good develop- 
ment. Plants of these kinds should be renewed from 
florists’ stock from time to time just as one buys cut 
flowers, only these fern plants will last months instead 
of days. It may be mentioned finally that the Boston 
fern with its varieties constitutes the most popular 
house plant in America today and is grown for this pur- 
pose in greater numbers than any other fern or flowering 
plant. It is safe to say that a million plants are grown 
and sold in the Eastern States alone every year. 
Boranic GARDEN, Brooxtyn, N. Y 
