HARDY FERNS 89 



even if they got a good start, for they would choke one 

 another. Where a large number of seedlings do spring 

 up, it is only the strongest which eventually survive. 

 I have found that under cultivation no Ferns are more 

 prolific than most of our native species. From a single 

 frond of Athyrium filix-fxmina thousands of plants may be 

 raised. And it is so with most others, and to save them 

 they must be divided as soon as the prothalia covers the 

 surface they are sown upon, they may also require 

 several successive divisions. After they are well estab- 

 lished there will be little trouble ; potted into small pots 

 and placed in a cold pit, in a shady position where the 

 sun does not reach them, but where they get good light, 

 they will grow freely. Or they may be planted out 

 where they can have protection in severe weather. It 

 may not be desirable to save all the seedlings raised, yet 

 as so much variation is found among them, they should be 

 kept until the best types can be selected. 



Speaking of variations, it may be of interest to note 

 that the Royal Horticultural Society made over one 

 hundred awards (mostly first-class certificates) for 

 varieties of Athyrium filix-fiemina, and about the same 

 number for Scolopendriums. This is only taking those given 

 up to 1892, and most of these were given between the 

 years l86<5 and 1875, a period when the beautiful 

 varieties of our hardy ferns were receiving special atten- 

 tion. Other British Ferns have also been very prolific 

 in variations. It may be added that the same varieties 

 assume different characteristics from year to year. This 

 is especially the case with the crested varieties ; in most 

 instances they become more heavily crested with age, it 

 is therefore very difficult to give descriptions, except to 

 some of the most distinct types. 



Our British Ferns are represented by about a dozen 

 distinct Genera, and species are not numerous, yet as 

 stated above, varieties are almost countless. They are 



