SPECIMEN FERNS 33 



with. D. Fijiensis has been productive of many fine 

 varieties : robusta is one of the best for large specimens ; 

 and solida superba, or ornata, may be grown for broader 

 fronded sorts. D. epiphylla is a newer introduction, the 

 thick scaly rhizomes grow erect and the broad drooping 

 fronds produced from them are very effective. D. ruja 

 is another which makes a fine specimen, the short thick 

 rhizomes are thickly clothed with chestnut red scales. 

 D. polyantha is an old favourite and one of the few which 

 have any colour in the young fronds. 



Microlepia hirta cristata, is often seen in very large 

 specimens with heavy fronds of a deep green, but to 

 have it at its best it must be grown in an exposed 

 position, and potted in light loamy soil, it is also 

 necessary to start with strong single crowns. There 

 are few Ferns which vary so much under different culture 

 as this does, once it gets a dense mass of crowns it will 

 be difficult to re-establish strong plants which produce 

 the large drooping tasseled fronds. 



Nephrolepis. — Here again we have a difficulty owing 

 to the numerous varieties which are constantly being 

 added, and it will be a matter of personal choice. It is 

 not so long ago when N. rufesceus tripinnatifida was con- 

 sidered one of the handsomest Ferns we had, but now we 

 rarely hear of it, for the beautiful nultifid forms of 

 exaltata have taken its place. The old favourite, N. 

 davallmdes furcans, is still worthy of attention, and when 

 grown under suitable conditions makes a fine specimen. 

 In using the word " suitable " it may be explained that 

 it will grow luxuriantly under heavy shade and in heat, 

 but it is those which are well exposed and grown in 

 loamy soil which make the best specimens. Of the 

 bipinnatifid varieties of N. exaltata it is difficult to choose 

 from, for todaoides, Whitmani, and elegantissima all are 

 good, and much depends on how they are grown. 

 N. exaltata superba has much to recommend it, although 



