6i 



A. f.f. diversifrons is described as follows : — " Spreading 

 shortish broad fronds some in divisional appearance normal, 

 like the species, others having occasional branching- 

 pointed or oftener very irregular primary divisions 

 (pinnae), or both irregularity of the secondary (pinnules), 

 and forking of the primary divisions combined, the 

 irregularity arising from the pinnules being here and 

 there absent, or shortened, or rugged. A quaint-looking 

 variety. . . . ios. 6d." 



On carefully studying this description, it is seen that 

 the fern is simply a mass of imperfections, and of a type 

 which nowadays would be thrown out ignominiously at 

 once as an eminently undesirable seedling, instead of 

 being encouraged to grow up and audaciously couple itself 

 with a claim of ios. 6d. There is no doubt whatever that 

 a preponderance of such worthless types led to a reaction, 

 and the subsequent neglect of British Ferns for many 

 years. Meanwhile, however, the "cult" survived in the 

 hands of the original pioneers and their successors, whose 

 efforts resulted in many new discoveries, so many of which 

 were of the right kind that mere " curios " were deservedly 

 ignored. The catalogues of to-day consequently repre- 

 sent, with very few exceptions, only meritorious forms, 

 and easier modes of propagation having also been dis- 

 covered, the prices even of the best and rarest are 

 extremely moderate. 



Subsequently to the writing of the above, the Gardeners* 

 Magazine has published the following, which we are per- 

 mitted to reproduce. This refers to the same catalogue 

 as is referred to above, viz. Sim's of Foots Cray, 1863, and 

 the high prices quoted, when considered in connection 

 with the descriptions, contrast so greatly with the current 

 ones for thoroughbreds as to form another source of con- 

 gratulation to the fern lover of to-day, viz. greater ease of 

 acquisition plus finer character. 



