378 



MV GARDEN. 



It is impossible to have any successful fernery without abundance of 

 the common Polypody {Polyfiodium vulgare, fig. 870). The number of 

 hamperfuls which I have required and received from various friends is 

 surprising. It is evergreen, and is employed to grow over our stumps of 

 trees, on dry banks, and in various other situations. Its green leaves and 

 golden-coloured spores render it invaluable for ferneries. There is also a 

 beautiful variety called the P. cambricunt, v/hich, however, does not grow 

 so freely as the common Polypody ; the Irish fern, another beautiful 

 variety ; and many others, which differ but little from the normal form. 

 The Beech Fern {P. Phegopteris) requires a damp place, and is a fine 

 fern, though not equal to the Oak Fern (P- Dryopteris, fig. %'joci), which 

 is one of the finest of all. Both grow abundantly in Yorkshire and 

 Scotland, and I have many in my Fern Glen. The Limestone Fern 

 {P. Rdbertianuni) has seeded in my orchard-house, and the plants give 

 fine fronds. The P. alpestre resembles a lady-fern, and the variety 

 P. flexile is a delicate fern, interesting to grow, but not at all showy. 



Fig. 870. — Polypody (showing sori). 



Fig. 870^.— Oak Fern. 



Fig. 871.— Parsley Fern. 



The Parsley Fern {Cryptogramma crispa, fig. 871), a deciduous fern, is 

 not easy to establish, probably because it is not removed with sufficient 

 roots from its natural situations. I found a single fine plant on Don 

 Side, but no other, showing how occasionally a species will grow away 

 from its neighbours. It thrives best amongst the wall ferns, low down, 

 so as always to have some moi-sture. 



In all the ferneries the Hard Fern {Blechniim spicant, fig. 8730:) is 

 cultivated. It grows in most woods, and generally sprouts up on the moors 

 both in Yorkshire and Scotland after the heather has been burnt. The 



