EXOTIC FERNS I23 



the old-time favourite must give place to 

 the plumose variety, Piersoni, and now there 

 comes the still more plumed Tarrytovs^n 

 variety. Yet the old Boston fern still holds 

 its ground. The complex cutting of the 

 fronds in these newer varieties permits of 

 variation in colour so that light-green tints 

 are always against the older, darker growth. 

 It is difficult to tell which is the more pleasing, 

 the mossy effect of the young fronds or the 

 more magnificent plumes of the mature plant 

 which both stand and droop gracefully. 

 Again, the Scott fern (N. exaltata, var. 

 Scottii of the florist) compels attention 

 because of its compact sturdy habit — it is a 

 condensed Boston fern. 



The dwarf kidney or sword fern (Nephro- 

 lepis cordata, var. compacta) is a pretty little 

 fern, more delicate than the other members 

 of the genus, surpassing the Boston fern in 

 richness of colour and taking up so much less 

 room that it can be grown in cramped quar- 

 ters when the other would be too aggressive. 



The greenhouse maidenhair (Adiantum 



