182 



accustomed to a new name, another alteration is made,, 

 and so on ad infinitum. Up to the present, in writing for 

 the " Gazette/' I have used the names under which I was 

 brought up, simply because, in my judgment, they are 

 those best understood by my readers. 



F. W. Stansfield. 

 Reading, January, 1917. 



A SERIOUS FERN PEST. 



The following matter appeared partly in the " British- 

 Fern Gazette," Vol. 2, No. 13, but is of such importance 

 that we have no hesitation in reproducing Sir F. Moore's 

 addition, and suggesting the wisdom of submitting either 

 the weevils or the grubs in suspicious cases to experts for 

 their opinion before it is too late, as when once estab- 

 lished it appears to be almost impossible to save the plant 

 attacked. 



Editor. 



Our Native Ferns are, as a rule, so free from either 

 disease or pests that we are apt to think there is no 

 necessity for being on our guard against danger. But a 

 recent experience of mine has been of a very startling: 

 nature, and I am sure the readers of the " Gazette" will 

 thank me for a warning with reference to a danger, which 

 if not common is certainly terrible. 



For some time a large and exceptionally fine collection 

 of Native Ferns with which I am acquainted was observed 

 to lack its usual vigour ; the crowns developed unevenly, 

 making much less than their usual number of fronds, and 

 the fronds produced in many cases were very unequal in 

 size and finish. Under the impression that what was 

 wanted was re-planting and new compost, the collection 

 was lifted and very carefully re-planted. Unhappily the 



