38o 



MV GARDEN. 



great beauty. It is not easy to cultivate, though I have seen it in great 

 perfection at the Rev. W. Macpherson's manse in Don Side. It is 

 evergreen, and is a highly beautiful object when successfully grown. 

 Like the polystichums, the different species of 

 Lastraea, or Nephrodiums, are also indispensable. 

 The LastrcBa Filix-mas (fig. 875) attains a large size 

 and a bold form, and, from its abundance, is well 

 adapted to make the foundation of a fernery, for 

 which purpose we use it. We grow several varieties, 

 of which the crested and small kinds are the most 



Fig. Sys-L. Filix-mas. important. 



The Mountain Fern {Lastrcea montand), although it occurs in large 

 patches in Scotland, does not grow so freely in artificial cultivation. Its 

 fronds die down early in autumn. The Yorkshire Hard Fern [Lastrcea 

 rigidd) can only be obtained in small quantities, and therefore it is 

 adapted for single specimens and not for a great show. The .same 

 scarceness of the Lastrcea cristata, or Norfolk Fern, forbids it to be 

 extensively used, although it is a beautiful fern. Another one, the 

 Lastrcea (2mula, is also not sufficiently common to be used for other 

 purposes than as specimens ; but the L. dilatata, or Broad Fern, can 



be obtained in any quantity, and is remark- 

 able for the manner in which the fronds are 

 curved, and the picturesque effect which it 

 presents in cultivation. Of this fern there 

 are many varieties, several of which we 

 grow. 



The Marsh Fern {Lastrcea Thelypteris, fig. 

 876) is of great beauty, and grows admirably 

 with me in wet places. The form of its 

 long fronds is elegant, and its colour en- 

 chanting. I grow it largely, and certainly 

 Fig. 876.-Marsh Fern. jj. dcserves to be grown cxtensively. Its 



rhizomes grow to the very edge of the water without injury to the 

 plant. 



