82 The Fern Garden. 



and next leave it for a month. The plant begins to grow 

 early in the year, and continues growing till quite late in 

 autumn. Keep it only moderately moist at all seasons. 

 Take care the sun never shines upon it, and as far as 

 is possible — making allowances for curiosity, or the 

 necessity of occasionally ascertaining what is its con- 

 dition as to moisture — give no air at all. 



Lastrea. — L. filix-mas, the male fern, is the com- 

 monest (and some say the handsomest) species in Britain. 

 It will grow anywhere and in any soil, but attains its 

 fullest perfection in mellow loam or peat in a shady 

 situation. The following varieties are fine — cristata, a 

 magnificent object when well grown ; crispa, a little 

 gem for the case ; yrandiceps, a fine pot fern ; polydac- 

 tyla, a fine-crested variety. 



L. <emula, the hay-scented fern, a charming species 

 for the cool house or pot culture. When dried it is 

 agreeably fragrant. 



L. dilatata, the broad buckler fern, should be planted 

 plentifully out of doors. The variety dumetorum has 

 a beautiful rich appearance. 



L. montana or L. oreopteris, the mountain buckler 

 fern, common on Scottish moors, and by no means 

 scarce in England and Wales. It should be planted 

 out in loam and be freely supplied with water. It is 

 not a good fern to grow in pots. When the hand is 

 passed over the fronds a pleasant odour is emitted; 

 when dried it has a sweet hay-like scent. 



L. thelypteris, a free growing species for the cool 

 house and for pot culture. It loves shade, moisture, 

 and spongy peat, and travels fast. 



