48 THE BOOK OF FERN CULTURE 



drip from the roof will cause discolouration of the fronds. 

 P. nemoralis •uariegata, in addition to the white linear 

 variegation, has a rosy tint in the young fronds ; while 

 in P. argyrea the white linear marking is more decided, 

 and the green of a very soft shade. P. cretica albo-lineata 

 is now more popular than formerly, and there are several 

 good crested forms of this; Alexandra is one of the 

 best. P. Victoria and P. Regime are good variegated 

 Ferns, but when raised from spores they vary consider- 

 ably, and there are some pretty crested forms of these 

 Ferns. P. aspericaulis is of a dark bronzy tint. Dory- 

 opteris nobilis is one which must be included. 



The above is not quite a complete list of the varie- 

 gated Ferns, but it includes most of those under ordinary 

 cultivation. 



Choice Ferns for the Stove 



Some of our most beautiful Ferns are of little service 

 except to be grown in the stove. A long list of choice 

 sorts might be given. Those named below are among 

 the most effective. In the Adiantums there are many 

 varieties. A. curvatum is one of the most beautiful, of 

 medium size, with curved prinae. It has spreading 

 rhizomes, and requires a light porous compost. The 

 surface of the fronds should be kept quite free from 

 moisture. This does not come freely from spores, but 

 may be increased by divisions. 



A. macrophyllum bipinnatum. — This is another beautiful 

 Fern which has failed to reproduce from spores, though 

 what appear to be good fertile fronds are produced in 

 abundance. This has spreading root-stocks, which may 

 be divided. For dividing the choice sorts the best time is 

 in the spring, after they have started into active growth : 

 great care must be taken not to expose them to the 

 cold or allow the roots to get dry, and the compost 



