CBYPTOGEAMME 



IIABDY FEBNS 



WOODWABDIA 1013 



thorough dramage. Increased by spores, 

 or division of the rootstocks in spring 

 or autumn. If divided in autumn, the 

 plants are safest in winter in a greenhouse, 

 so that they may become estabhshed 

 more quickly, and be sturdy for spring 

 planting. See also p. 1009. 



ONYCHIUM.— The only species of 

 this genus that can be grown out of doors 

 in the mildest parts of the country is 

 0. japonioum, an elegant Pern from 

 China and Japan. Its fronds over 1 ft. 

 long and 6 in. broad, with stalks about 

 the same length, are broadly ovate in 

 outline, and four times pinnately divided 

 into numerous pinnules and segments, on 

 the back of which are borne linear clusters 

 of spore-cases. 



CuUmre cmd Propagation. — This 

 species flourishes in sandy loam and peat 

 in moist and warm parts of the country. 

 Increased by spores. See p. 1009. 



PTERIS (Brake or Bracken).— The 

 only species of this genus fit for outdoor 

 cultivation is our native Bracken (P. 

 aquiUma), which is common in woods, 

 heaths, moors &o. in all parts of the 

 British Islands. From its stout creeping 

 rootstocks spring fronds 2-6 ft. high with 

 stout stalks. In early spring is the best 

 time to lift large clumps of it from the 

 moors or commons and transfer them to 

 the wilder parts of the garden, where 

 they may serve as screens or covers. If 

 planted in peaty soil and given a good 

 soaking they will grow without any 

 trouble. The dried fronds will be found 

 useful for protecting tender plants in 

 other parts of the garden. There are 

 several forms worth growing, such as 

 eongesta, cristata, depa/wperaia, gra/ndA- 

 ceps pendula, flexuosa cristata, and 

 polydactyla. See also p. 1009. 



CRYPTOGRAM ME (Parsley 

 Pern ; Eockbrake). — C. crispa (Alio- 

 aorus crispus). — This elegant native Pern 

 resembles at first sight a tuft of Parsley, 

 owing to its dense tufts of pale green 

 fronds which appear in May and June 

 and gradually wither in autumn. They 

 are about 6 in. high and somewhat deltoid 

 or 3-comered in outline with a rather 

 long, slender, smooth, pale brown stalk. 

 The fronds are twice or thrice pinnately 

 out into wedge-shaped or oblong pinnules, 

 notched or cleft at the end. Two kinds 

 are borne, the outer ones being leafy and 



barren, the inner ones contracted and 

 spore-bearing, the recurved margins form- 

 ing the indusium. 



Culture and Propagation. — The 

 Parsley Fern grows naturally in loose 

 stony places in mountainous parts of 

 England and Scotland. It may be grown 

 in the rockery in moist but well-drained 

 sandy loam and peat between pieces of 

 stone or rock in such a way that it will 

 receive plenty of light and air, and at 

 the same time be shaded from the scorch- 

 ing sun. See also p. 1009. 



LOMARIA (Hard Fern) .—The Hard 

 Ferns have short or creeping rootstocks 

 and tufted fronds, the outer ones of which 

 are barren, or spore-bearing at the base 

 only, the inner ones being usually fertile, 

 with linear sori, close to the margin. 

 Indusium scarious. 



Culture and Propagation. — Lomarias 

 flourish in shaded but lightsome parts of 

 the rookery in rich sandy loam, peat and 

 leaf soil. Increased by spores or careful 

 division. See also p. 1009. 



L. alpina. — A pretty New Zealand 

 species with a slender creeping rootstock 

 and tufts of pinnately cut fronds 4-8 in. 

 long, the inner fertile ones being some- 

 what longer and narrower than the outer 

 ones. 



Culture &c. as above. This species is 

 somewhat tender, and requires warm 

 sheltered situations among pieces of rock 

 and stone. See also p. 1009. 



L. Spicant [BlechriMm, Spicant ; B. 

 horeale). — This is our native Hard Fern, 

 having stout creeping rootstocks, and 

 erect or spreading leathery bright green 

 pinnate and pinnatifid fronds, with polished 

 red-brown stalks. The pinnules of the 

 spore -bearing fronds are narrower than 

 those of the barren ones, but are long and 

 narrow, like the blunt teeth of a comb, in 

 both. There are a large number of forms 

 of this species, many of them having 

 crested radiating fronds. Among the best 

 may be mentioned concinna, crispa, cris- 

 tata, flahellata, multifurcata, poly- 

 dactyla, phimosa, serrata, atricta, tri- 

 nervis, and trinervis coronans. 



Culture dc. as above. Suitable for 

 damp shaded parts of the rockery. See 

 also p. 1009. 



WOODWARDIA (Chain Fern).— A 

 small genus of beautiful Ferns, with large 

 twice pinnatifid fronds, with linear or 



