ioo THE BOOK OF FERN CULTURE 



much warmth. S. Poulteri forms a neat mass of deep 

 green, and is very free growing. The spores of this 

 germinate freely, and seedlings will spring up when- 

 ever they fall on moist soil. Of those which grow 

 taller and succeed well in an intermediate temperature, 

 Martensi is one of the most popular, and there is a 

 variegated variety, but to keep this true, the best 

 variegated shoots must be selected to propagate from. 

 If left alone it will soon revert to the normal green form, 

 for the green shoots soon overgrow the variegated, 

 which are not so vigorous. This species and many 

 others produce roots from the stems which as soon as 

 they reach the soil soon form a mass of fibrous roots. 

 Propagation is a very simple matter, S. formosum 

 is a rather more slender growing variety. These are 

 all grown extensively for market. S. cuspidata is another 

 free growing species. S. serpens is a dwarf spreading 

 species which will grow freely over the stones on a 

 Rockery or cover a moist wall, but requires more warmth 

 than those above referred to. S. apus (or better known 

 as apoda) forms a dense mass of moss-like growth, but 

 does not spread so much. S. Emiliana, which though 

 quite distinct is considered to be a variety of cuspidata, 

 makes a very pretty plant with a rosette-like crown, and 

 does not spread — this is extensively grown for decorations. 

 It must be propagated from the small tips, which may 

 be treated in a similar manner to small Ferns. After 

 once getting a start they soon make pretty little 

 plants, and when in about 2 or 3 inch pots they 

 are very useful, or they may be grown on larger, 

 and will attain to about 9 inches high. S. amazna 

 is another distinct variety supposed to come from 

 S. caulescens, but is of more wiry growth, with erect 

 stems and nearly horizontal feather-like branches. The 

 erect stems are produced from creeping rhizomes, and 

 though divisions may be made, it is desirable to propa- 



