PREFACE 



This contribution to fern literature is 

 designed simply as a practical work for the 

 benefit of the amateur fern culturist. 



The most satisfactory way of gaining an 

 acquaintance is to study the subjects at first 

 hand. But we cannot always live in the 

 woods, so a fraction thereof must live with us, 

 that we may watch the ferns "budding, with 

 each stem and leaf wrapped small" and con- 

 tinue our observations until, and after, "their 

 spreading forms unfurl." 



As the aim of this book is cultural, no 

 special key to the genera has been prepared. 

 Such a key would be out of place, involving 

 more science than the nature of the book 

 permits. 



Technical terms have been eliminated as 

 far as practicable; where it is not possible to 

 omit them explanatory remarks follow. 



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