February 26, 1890.] 



Garden and Forest. 



103 



splendid species where fit accommodation can be provided 

 for it, is rather too large for a small fernery. The Gleichenias 

 may be increased by division, but in performing this opera- 

 tion it is safest to sever the rhizomes some time before potting 

 them off, so that the pieces may become well rooted before 

 finally removing them from the parent plant. 



Hypolepis distans, a well known and very pretty Fern, grows 

 best in the cool fernery, where it soon makes a dense mass of 

 its dark green, finely divided fronds. It is readily increased by 

 division of the rhizomes, the latter being- of rapid growth, and 

 with some slight attention after the division is effected the 

 young plants soon become established. Doryopteris nobilis 

 and D. palmata are both excellent plants, and form a good con- 

 trast with some of the finer-leaved Ferns, the bold, strong 

 foliage of D. nobilis being very effective. Some of the Loma- 

 rias, notably L. ciliata, L. gibba, L. gibba crispa, L. fluviatilis 

 and L. nuda, may be highly commended for the cool fernery, 



Another most interestingform is our native "Walking Leaf " 

 {Camptosorus rhizophyllus); its indefinite manner of growth 

 from the apex of the frond, from which it produces young 

 plants, is well known, and gives some propriety to the above 

 local designation. A plant of similar characteristics, though 

 perhaps not so widely known, is Fadyenia prolifera, a Jamaican 

 Fern of much smaller growth than the Camptosorus, though 

 having the same habit in regard to the proliferous nature of 

 the barren fronds. The fertile fronds of Fadyenia are of a dif- 

 ferent character, being simple, erect and about six inches in 

 height, and do not add greatly to the beauty of the plant, as 

 they wither as soon as the spores are ripe. 



If the conveniences are at hand for their culture a few 

 of the beautiful Filmy Ferns should find a place in the col- 

 lection, but unless a well-shaded and moist corner can 

 be given them, it will be found best to grow them in a 

 case, so that their atmosphere may be more easily control- 



An Alley in the Tuilleries Garden, Paris. — See page 98. 



being not only easily grown and propagated, but also very 

 ornamental in character. The Lomarias in general do better 

 under cool treatment than in a stove temperature, besides be- 

 ing less liable to the attacks of thrips and other insects. 



Many of the Nephrodiums (Lastreas) may be counted among 

 hardy Ferns, but there are some that require cool-house culti- 

 vation, and among the latter, N. glabellum, N. Sieboldii and N. 

 opacum (or variuni) are all good sorts, and well worthy of a 

 place even in a small collection. A few of the Fern curiosi- 

 ties, or oddities, can be included in this brief list— for instance, 

 Polypodium (Niphoboltts) Lingua, P. Lingua variegatum and P. 

 Lingua corymbiferum; the leathery-looking, simple fronds of 

 the two first and the much-divided and crested onesof the last 

 are all equally quaint and interesting. These Polypodiums 

 are natives of Japan and China, and are chiefly increased by 

 division of the rhizomes. 



led. Such gems as lodea superba and the so-called "Kil- 

 larney Fern" {Trichomanes radicans) should not be neglected; 

 and there are many of the Hymenophyllums which require 

 similar treatment, though some of the latter are not benefited 

 by being sprinkled overhead as is Trichomanes radicans. 



Davallia strigosa and D. hirta cristata are both handsome 

 species, the latter especially so, and making also a splendid 

 exhibition plant. Nephrolepis exaltata, N. pcctinata, X.Duffii 

 and N. rufescens tripinnatifida are among the most useful of 

 their genus, being particularly good for planting out on rock- 

 work or for using in baskets. The Pellaeas, Nothochla^nas, 

 Polypodiums and a multitude of other valuable Ferns cannot 

 now be mentioned, but the intention is only to direct the at- 

 tention of some inquirer toward this most beautiful and inter- 

 esting class of plants. 



Holmesburg, Pa. W. H. Taplitl. 



