76 FERNS 



if taken up early in the season, is pretty in 

 small receptacles and keeps its colour. 



We may drape our homes " by the yard," 

 if we like, with the most graceful and filmy 

 of our common ferns, the bladder fern 

 (Filix bulbiferd). So great is its adaptabil- 

 ity that it flourishes not only in sylvan re- 

 treats but also in the wild garden at our door 

 and equally well indoors. If plants are 

 taken up early in the season, May or June, 

 they will last through the summer. The 

 root growth is small and requires little soil 

 to maintain it in good condition. 



If one frond dies another is unfolding to 

 take its place. It may be grown on a platter 

 with mosses or in shallow baskets or shells. 

 Nothing, however, can exceed the simple 

 loveliness of a single plant with a bit of moss 

 in a slender glass. 



AVOID OVER-WATERING 



Very little care is required by summer ferns 

 indoors. The one thing to be avoided is 



