CHAPTER IX 

 Exotic Ferns Without a Greenhouse 



Although the majority of the fern stran- 

 gers within our gates flourish well in glass 

 houses, comparatively few adapt themselves 

 to open living-room culture. Of the accom- 

 modating minority we must look to the 

 sword fern family for the champion, which 

 defies adverse conditions and easily takes 

 the lead as the largest and most decorative 

 house plant to be found in parlour, hall or 

 living room the world over. 



The type, Nephrolepis exaltata, has given 

 place to its more graceful variety, the so-called 

 Boston fern (N. exaltata, var. Bostoniensis), 

 which is much better known and more widely 

 appreciated than the choicest wildling which 

 our native fern flora can oflFef. Equally fine 

 specimens are seen in cool offices, store 



