io THE BOOK OF FERN CULTURE 



nary way. The Aspleniums Mayi, Drueryi Herbsti, and 

 others were all chance variations. Polypodium Mayi 

 occurred among a large batch of P. glaucum. In 

 Adiantums it is found when raising from spores that 

 rhodophyllum and Victoria will occur in the same batch of 

 seedlings. In scutum some will have much more colour 

 in the young fronds than others. 



It may be an interesting experiment to try cross 

 fertilisation by mixing different species of allied genera, 

 but unlike cross fertilisation of flowering plants, there 

 can be no certain results. 



Regarding variations, they may occur through plants 

 being forced into growth in an unnatural manner. 

 Instances have occurred where, in some varieties of 

 Pteris serrulata, by being fed, and forced into further 

 growth after one batch of fronds are developed, and 

 others not ready to unfold, the pinnae of the developed 

 fronds will make further advance, or perhaps break out 

 into multifid growths. All Fern growers should care- 

 fully watch those raised from spores, and any showing 

 the slightest variations in a young state may prove very 

 distinct when fully developed. 



