126 FERNS 



house culture is the holly fern (Cyrtomium 

 falcatum). As a specimen plant it is very 

 striking. The rich, glossy fronds, dark above 

 and light beneath, are especially effective if 

 allowed to droop over birch-bark or other 

 light covering. It is a pity that the species 

 is not better known, as it is easy of culture, 

 preferring a soil composed largely of leaf 

 mould, and asks only for a moderate amount 

 of water, an occasional rest, and perhaps a 

 little lower temperature than the Boston fern 

 approves for an every-day life. Few of the 

 many tropical and sub-tropical spleenworts 

 (aspleniums) take kindly to house culture. 

 Belanger's {A. Belangeri) is an easy growing 

 species, and the obtuse spleenwort (A. 

 obtusiloburri) is especially suited for basket 

 culture. 



A charming plant for the window garden is 

 the pretty climbing fern (Lygodium Japoni- 

 curti). Whether allowed to cover a trellis or 

 twist its stem about a cord or wire, it grows 

 rapidly if it grows at all. But if the growing 

 end is broken all progress is suspended; the 



