SMALL FERNS FOR THE STOVE 29 



Small Ferns for the Stove 



Among these we have some choice little gems which 

 require very careful treatment. 



Acrostichum (or Rhipiodopteris) peltata is one that has 

 tiny, much divided almost circular barren fronds, and the 

 fertile fronds are entire and almost circular, with the 

 whole surface covered with almost black sori. It 

 requires similar treatment to the filmy Ferns ; if not in 

 a close case the pots may be plunged in a bed of fresh 

 sphagnum moss, and the slender rhizomes spread more 

 freely in a compost of peat, sphagnum, loam and sand, 

 with plenty of drainage in which some lumps of charcoal 

 may be used. 



Aciiniopteris radiate has fronds of somewhat similar 

 form, except that the spores are on the under side of the 

 divided fronds ; it also has a crown or tufted caudex 

 instead of the spreading rhizomes, and does not require 

 a close, moist atmosphere. 



Davallia parvula is a delicate little Fern which requires 

 a moist atmosphere. D. pedata, though rare, will grow 

 in a more exposed position. D. Alpina is another choice 

 species of very small growth. 



Of Adiantums reniforme asarifolium is all that need be 

 included in this list. There are other dwarf growing 

 sorts, but they all grow freely under quite ordinary 

 treatment. 



Of Aspleniums — A.formosum, A. obtusilobum, A. incisum, 

 A. nobilis, and ricutarium, all are of fairly free growth, but 

 like some peat with good loam sand, and good drainage. 



Blechnum lanceolatum, and B. longifolium and gracile, the 

 latter having young fronds of a bronzy red hue, and the 

 ordinary longifolium rarely attains to more than nine to 

 twelve inches high and also has bronzy fronds. 



Cheilanthes radiata, sometimes known as adiantum, and 

 Nothochlana, is a handsome little Fern in a young state, 



