VI PREFACE 



The system of nomenclature used is uni- 

 form with that adopted in the "Cyclopedia 

 of American Horticulture," with these ex- 

 ceptions-— Filix replaces Cystopteris, and Os- 

 munda spectabilis is used for our native 

 royal fern instead of O. regalis as the dis- 

 tinctiveness of the American species is now 

 accepted. But for th6 convenience of the 

 more conservative school of fern lovers (to 

 which the author belongs) a synonymous 

 list of the names of ferns best adapted for 

 special cultural uses is given. A multiplicity 

 of English synonyms has purposely been 

 avoided, as many of them are local, un- 

 important, and often perplexing. 



The larger part of our native ferns which 

 have special cultural value are illustrated 

 by original photographs, the work of Miss 

 M. T. Randall, Miss M. E. Manley, Mrs. 

 H. A. Hall, Rev. G. W. Perry and Dr. H. H. 

 Swift. 



PiTTSFORD, Vermont, 1905. 



