FERNS AND LYCOPODS 387 



are merely surface creeping; a few have thick, upright stems, which 

 are hard to pull up. 



The soil that ferns will like varies greatly. The best method of 

 knowing what soil they need is to note where they grow naturally. 

 In general, most Ferns like a deep, rich, not too heavy soil — better 

 with little peat in it. In their native habitat they have few or no 

 enemies, but in the garden they are attacked often by wood lice, 

 slugs, snails, caterpillars and the grub of the daddy longlegs. 



There are many sorts suitable for outdoor culture. The following 

 are most common and hardy: 



Adiantiim pedatum (Maidenhair): Prefers well drained, light 

 soil. It has a poor color when grown in sun. 



Aspidium (See Dryopteris). 



Asplenium acrostichoides: Moisture; some shade; endures sun- 

 light if in cool situations. A. angustifolium: Avoid the removal 

 of old fronds. New crop springs up and weakens the plant. A. 

 Filix-fcemina (Lady Fern) : Good, rich loam, moist. Excellent, 

 well formed fronds, which are very variable. A. pinnalifidum: A 

 small evergreen fern found in depth of glens. Useful for planting 

 between stones. A. Trichomanes: A rock garden plant. A. platy- 

 neuron (Ebony Spleen wort). 



Camplosorns rhizophyllus (Walking Fern) : Prefers dry ledges. 



Cheilanthes lanosa: Prefers deep shade. C. tomentosa: Prefers 

 less shade and more moisture. 



Cystopteris hulbifera: Plant in shade on moist bank. C.fragilis: 

 Fronds die in August. 



Dennslosdtia (Dicksonia) puncttdobula (Hay-scented Fern): 

 Heavy growth. Grow for cutting in Summer. 



Dryopteris {Aspidium) Boottii: Does not need Winter shade. 

 D. cristatavax.Clintonianum: Swampy ground. D.Filix-mas (Male 

 Fern): Rich soil; deep shade. D.Goldieana: Cool, rich soil. Grows 

 in acid soil or leafmold. D. marginale: When transplanted in full 

 leaf the plants rarely survive. Likes a rich; moist soil and deep 

 shade. D. noveboracensis: Not good for cutting. Easily trans- 

 planted. D. spinulosa var. intermedia (Spinulose Shield Fern): 

 Good in wet, and under trees as well. D. Thelypteris: Partial shade 

 in marshes. 



Lygodium palmatum (The Climbing Fern; Hartford Fern): 

 This Fern is difficult to estabhsh. It is moisture loving. 



Onoclea sensibilis (Sensitive Fern) : Wet ditches and rich, moist 

 soil; partial shade. 0. Siruthiopteris (Ostrich Fern): Burns in full 

 sunshine. 



