394 PLANT CULTURE 



on the stems of the old plants. The fronds are of a leathery texture, 

 and the plants stand much rough treatment. 



DRYNARIA. In the Washington Botanic Garden the late 

 W. R. Smith built a small but ornate rockwork in one of the show 

 houses leading from the Palm house about 40 years ago, the idea 

 being to grow ferns in it. Drynaria quercifolia was one of the num- 

 ber and it has continued in splendid condition since that time. 

 The stems adhere to the stone work with the aid of small roots. 

 The Drynaria is one of the most graceful of the climbing ferns, 

 especially where it has a chance to get a hold upon stonework. 



Propagation. The species is increased by putting small pieces 

 of rhizome in leafmold and sand, using 4-inch pots. 



MICROLEPIA (Davallia). The Microlepias resemble the 

 Davallias. M. hirta var. crislala is one of the handsomest of crested 

 Ferns, capable of being grown into very large, symmetrical speci- 

 mens. To have it at its best it needs a warm temperature. Water 

 should be kept from the fronds, as they are quite hairy and are apt 

 to turn brown when kept wet. 



Propagation. Increased by division. 



NEPHROLPEIS (Boston Ferns). The species and forms 

 are for the most part plants with tough, leathery fronds, enabling 

 them to be used with little injury for decorating or house plants. 

 Several varieties are largely grown. The most popular are forms 

 of N. exaltata. N. e. bostoniensis, the Boston Fern, is an old 

 and deservedly popular plant which is very extensively employed 

 as a decorative plant. Large specimens are well adapted for 

 placing on pedestals, or hanging from the roof of a large con- 

 servatory. Within recent years many remarkable wavy and 

 plumed varieties of this fern have made their appearance and 

 are much grown as decorative plants; these are known as Picrsoni, 

 Scottii, Amerpohli, Whilmani, Schoheli, elegantissima, Goodii, Roose- 

 velt, Teddy, Jr., muscosa, and others. N. cordifoUa, when well 

 grown, is an elegant decorative subject. The typical form is much 

 smaller than the above mentioned species and varieties. The fronds 

 are narrow and the leaf divisions close together, but, like some of 

 the others, it varies much. One of the varieties produces tubers; 

 the fronds in this case are large and may be mistaken for those of 

 N. exaltata. N. c. pectinala is a well known variety, having the 

 fronds narrow and drooping. When matured it is usually grown in 

 baskets suspended from the roof of a greenhouse. Useful specimens 



