ENRrADREERvPHHADELPHlAlA- tMOARDEMREEnHOUSE PIANTS- 



DREER'S FINE FERNS. 



Our collection of Ferns is the most extensive in this country. We an- 

 nually produce over two millions of these plants, which shows their great 

 popularity. 



Mr. Eben. E. Rexford, the well-known horticultural writer, who has 

 had considerable experience with Ferns, has written the following cultural 

 notes expressly for this book: 



"While few members of the Fern family are adapted to culture in the 

 ordinary living room because of its dry air, there are several that we cannot 

 afford to overlook for this purpose, like the newer types of the Boston 

 Fern, among which WJlitmani is one of the best, with finely divided 

 pinnae, making the frond look like a feathery plume. Scotti is a Boston 

 Fern of compact habit and density of growth, which features make it verv 

 desirable for the window, where room is limited. Perhaps the best Maiden 

 Hair Fern for house culture is Adiantum Croweanum, which stands the 

 dry atmosphere better than any other member of this graceful genus. Pteris 

 Wilsoni, with finely crested fronds, is good; also Pteris Victoria, which 

 has silvery variegations through its leaves. Another fine Fern is Cyrtomiion 

 P'dcatum, better known as the Holly Fern. This is so unlike ordinary 

 Ferns that one would hardly suppose it to be a member of the family. Its 

 foliage is thick and leathery, dark green 

 in color, with glossy surface. 



The best soil for Ferns is one com- 

 posed of leaf mould or turfy matter, 

 with a little sharp sand worked in. 

 Plenty of water should be given, but 

 good drainage should be provided to 

 guard against the danger from over- 

 watering. Keep the plants out of the 

 sun. Clip off all runners from the 

 Boston Ferns and allow but two or 

 three crowns to a plant. If allowed to 

 subdivide itself, as it seems inclined to 

 do when left alone, the pot will soon 

 be filled with crowns, greatly to the 

 detriment of the foliage. 



About the only enemy that the Fern 

 has is the mealy-bug. It is a difficult 

 matter to get rid of this pest if it at- 

 tacks the plant, because the fronds can- 

 not be handled much without injuring 

 them. It is therefore advisable to keep 

 vigilant watch over the plants and see 

 that this pest has no chance to estab- 

 lish itself on them. 



CVRTOMIUM FALCATUM. 



Adiantum Croweanum. 



Six of the Best 



Ferns for House 



Culture. 



Of the hundreds of varieties of 

 Ferns which we grow the follow- 

 ing six sorts are undoubtedly 

 among the best for house culture, 

 and have the endorsement of 

 Mr. Eben. E. Rexford, who has 

 tried them under ordinary living- 

 room conditions. They are all 

 quite distinct, and form a very 

 interesting collection. 



Adiantum Croweanum 

 {Maiden Hair). A graceful and 

 pretty variety. 25 cts. and 50 cts. 

 each. 



Cyrtomium Falcatum (Solly 

 Fern). Broad, dark, glossy 

 green foliage: very ornamental. 

 25 cts. and 50 cts. each. 



Nrphrolepis Scotti (Dwarf Boston Fern). Identical to the famous Boston 

 Fern, but of dwarfer, more compact and bushy habit. 25 eta. and 75 cts. 

 each. Specimen plants, $2.50 each. 



Ncphrolcpis Whitman* (Improved Ostrich Plume Fern). The most 

 valuable of this type, with handsome broad, plume-like fronds. 25 cts. 

 and 75 cts. each. Specimen plants, $2.50 each. 



Pleris Wilsoni ( On ited Fi •< ). A most satisfactory variety, with prettily 

 crested fronds. 25 cts. and 50 cts. each. 



Pteris Victorias (Silver Variegated Fern). A lovely sort with a silvery 



variegation through the centre of each leaf. 25 cts. and 50 cts. each. 

 A nice plant of each of the above 6 sorts for $1.25. 

 A larger " " " " 6 " " 3.00. 



SELAGINELLAS, OR MOSSES. 



Useful in 

 Dislie.-, etc 



sonnection with Ferns for the filling of Wardian Cases, Fern 

 The varieties offered below are among the most interesting. 



Nfphkolkpis Scotti. 



\ in <r n.-l . I inih. in i. 



Oa'sia Arborea, Flabellata, 

 Caulescens minus, Krauscana, 

 Cuspidata, — Anrea, 



Wntsoninnn. 



15 cts. each; set of 13 varieties, $1.50 



Kranseana Variegata, 



Marten>i, 



Rubella, 



Rubricaulis, 



For General List of Fine Ferns gee next pane. See alto Novelties, pase 130. 



