81 
In general, the fern herbarium stands in need of careful study 
of two sorts: first, to arrange it in accord with the best results 
of recent research, and second, to extend still further our knowl- 
edge of these plants by original work. There is scarcely a 
genus of ferns which does not need monographic study. Pro- 
fessor Underwood had made a start at this in connection with 
North American Flora work, and had published results for a 
part 1 of Volume 16 of North American Flora, But the groups 
he had been able to work with most, occupy less than two of 
the sixteen cases, so it may be seen that the greater part of this 
work remains to be done. 
Attention should also be paid to the collections of living ferns, 
as these can be made of considerable value both from a scientific 
and from a popular standpoint. The collections of filmy-ferns 
and of fern hybrids in particular have already furnished material 
for study. Recently the conservatory specimens of Cyathea 
arborea, a large Jamaican tree-fern, served to clear fe a doubtful 
point in connection with North America Flora wo 
he value of ferns from the horticultural coin 68 view has 
already oe referred to. Ferns out-of-doors do well in situ- 
ations not favorable to most flowering plants and, if properly 
established and arranged, will be attractive from early spring to 
ate fall. e indoor collection forms already one of the most 
attractive exhibits in the whole conservatory, and should improve 
when transferred to the more favorable conditions to be had in 
the new conservatories. The larger space will also allow a better 
display, as they are at present rather crow 
RALPH eee BENEDICT. 
EXPERIMENTS ON THE EFFECT OF THE SOIL OF 
T MLOCK GROVE OF THE NEW YORK 
BOTANICAL GARDEN UPON SEEDLINGS. 
The slow growth of the forest tree, the uncertainty of the 
amount and vitality of the seed crop, the lack of knowledge of 
