392 PLANT CULTURE 



BLECHNUM (Lomaria). The Ferns formerly known as 

 Lomarias are not classed under this genus. B. gibbum is a miniature 

 Tree Fern forming very graceful rosettes of simply divided leaves. 

 Of this species there are one or two handsome forms. L. g. Belli has 

 the points of the pinnae beautifully tasseled. L. g. robusta is of a 

 robust growing nature. A species closely allied to L. gibbum, known 

 as L. ciliata, has shorter and stouter fronds. The plant is quite as 

 useful and as easily rais8d from spores as L. gibbum. The plants are 

 useful even in a very small state, as the foliage is different from that 

 of most other Ferns grown in quantity for decorative purposes. 



Propagation. Old plants produce fertile fronds in abundance, 

 and if the spores are harvested and sown at the proper time, they 

 vegetate very quickly. By this method of increase, plants in 5-inch 

 pots may be produced in 12 months from sowing. 



CIBOTIUM. The Cibotiums are Tree Ferns of which there 

 are several handsome species. C. Schiedci and C. regale are natives 

 of Mexico. The fronds are of a light shade of green and ver>' much 

 divided, those of young plants arching gracefully. It stands well in 

 a dry atmosphere. 



Propagation. Young plants come readily from spores. Old 

 plants sometimes make numerous growths at the base of the stem. 

 If these are taken off with a few roots attached and put in the sand 

 bed for a few weeks they make specimen plants very quickh". 



CYRTOMIUM (Holly Fern). C. falcatum, together with C. 

 Fortimei and A. caryolideum are among the hardiest of the Ferns 

 used for decorating, for which purpose they are much grown. C. /. 

 var. Rochjordianum has more deeply cut foliage than C. falcatum. 

 The coolest house will do for the plants after they are of the requisite 

 size. The fronds are simply pinnate, the pinnules resembling, to 

 a certain extent, the leaf divisions of the Fish-tail Palm, Caryota. 

 urens. 



Propagation. Young plants are raised from spores. 



DAVALLIA (Rabbit's Foot Fern). A genus of Ferns having 

 scaly rhizomes which usually creep along the surface of the soil and 

 send out roots from their under surfaces. Of the few species grown 

 D.fijiensis var. plumosa is one of the most ornamental, having very 

 finely divided fronds. It must be grown in a warm house. As it 

 is not a deep rooting plant pans or baskets should be used according 

 to the purpose for which the plants are wanted. D. biillala, D. 

 pcnlaphylla, and D. dissccta are well adapted for baskets. Those 



