82 FERNS 



rank. The plant photographed was taken 

 from pine woods in July, and a year later 

 had not materially changed. The only 

 noticeable difference is the loss of one or two 

 of the old fertile fronds and a profusion 

 of new sterile ones clustering about the 

 base. 



THE SECRET OF SUCCESS 



The secret of success in the cultivation of 

 both species is the simulation of natural en- 

 vironment of the root growth. Thin bits 

 of limestone or other rock must be placed 

 against the fern roots, and moss and earth 

 enough added to hold them in place. This 

 is the one imperative demand of the ebony 

 spleenwort. I have never taken up a speci- 

 men of the genus whose roots were not resting 

 on or against or tucked under a stone of 

 some sort. Aspleniums as a rule are lime- 

 stone loving ferns, but the ebony spleenwort 

 is sometimes found on certain slate forma- 

 tions. 



