OSMUNDA. 31 



Culture. 



Though not extensive, this highly interesting genus comprises some 

 species which are very ornamental in- a cool house ; while some make 

 beautiful objects for the hardy Fernery. Like many other genera comprising 

 Ferns which are generally termed British, the genus Osmunda has a wide 

 range of distribution, and it therefore contains a great variety of forms. They 

 are scattered all over Europe, Asia, South Africa, the West Indies, and North 

 America ; and, although it may be truly said that all the known repre- 

 sentatives of the genus are worthy of cultivation, none, perhaps, are more 

 useful than, and at the same time so accommodating as, the North American 

 species, which stand even our most severe winters out-of-doors quite 

 unprotected. Kinds from Arkansas, Florida, North Carolina, Newfoundland, 

 Louisiana, Canada, &c., require no more protection than our own 0. regalis. 

 Osmundas are commonly called " Flowering Ferns," and are on that account 

 regarded with more than usual interest. Most of them are deciduous, and, 

 with the exception of 0. javanica, whose general appearance is much more 

 that of a glossy, thick-foliaged Lomaria than that of anything else, they all 

 more or less resemble one another. Although one sometimes hears of Osmunda 

 regalis measuring 10ft. in height, the length of the fronds of most species in 

 cultivation varies between 2ft. and 3ft. In dryish marshes they seldom attain 

 more than IJft. in height, and stand quite erect ; while, in plants which 

 have had the advantage of growing in places suited to them, the beautiful 

 fronds attain their full development, and, curving outward, form objects of 

 such stately beauty that some species well deserve the popular appellation 

 of "Royal Fern." 



Osmundas are easily cultivated, even in common garden soil ; but if 

 planted out, a spot should be selected for them by the side of water, so that, 

 while the heads of the plants are in the open and fully exposed to the 

 air, the roots may be kept constantly wet. In the Chelsea Botanic Gardens 

 they are even grown to perfection in a tank, in which they have been 

 standing for years ; and if anyone will take the trouble to prepare for these 

 magnificent Ferns a mixture of swamp mud and good loam, and will keep 

 their roots supplied with abundant moisture, the result will be all that can 

 be desired. If, however, there is any difficulty in procuring the materials 



