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 or- 
dinary 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 Whitmani is one of the best, with finely divided pinne, 
making the frond look like a feathery plume. 
compact habit and density of growth, which features make it very desir- 
able for the window, where room is limited. 
Hair Fern for house culture is Adiantum Croweanum, which stands the 
dry atmosphere better than any other member of this graceful genus. 
Pieris Wilsoni, with finely crested fronds, is good; also Pteris Victoria 
which has silvery variegations through its leaves. 
Cyrtomium Falcatum, better known as the Holly Fern. 
ordinary Ferns that one would hardly suppose it to be a member of the 
Scotti isa Boston Fern of 
Perhaps the best Maiden 
Another fine Fern is 
(> CARDEN GREENHOUSE PLANTS 17] 
This isso unlike 
ApiantuM CROWEANUM. 
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 
establish itself on them. 
Neruroveris Scortt. 
For General List of Fine Ferns see next page. See also Novelties, pages 115 to 120. 
Six of the Best 
Ferns for House 
Culture, 
Of the hundreds of varieties of 
Ferns which we grow the foilow- 
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 Croweanunr 
(Maiden Hair). A graceful 
and pretty variety. 25 cts. and 
CyrtTomium FALCATUM, 50 ets. each. 
Cyrtomium Faleatum (Holly Fern). Broad, dark, glossy green foli- 
age; very ornamental. 25 cts. and 50 cts. each. : 
Nephrolepis Scotti (Dwarf Boston Fern). Identical to the famous Bos- 
ton Fern, but of dwarfer, more compact and bushy habit. 25 cts. and 75 
ets. each. Specimen plants, $2.50 each. E 
Nephrolepis Whitmani (Zmproved Ostrich Plume Fern). The most 
valuable of this type, with handsome broad, plume-like fronds. 25 ets. 
and 75 cts. each. Specimen plants, $2.50 each. . 
Pteris Wilsoni (Crested Fern). A most satisfactory variety with pret- 
tily crested fronds. 25 cts. and 50 cts. each. 
Pteris Victorise (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 “ 6 « « 3.00. 
SELAGINELLAS, OR MOSSES. 
Useful in connection with Ferns for the filling of Wardian Cases, Fern- 
Dishes, ete. The varieties offered below are among the most interesting: 
Amena, Cuspidata, Krauseana Variegata,. 
Braunii, Emiliana, Martensi, 
Cesia, Flabellata, Rubella, 
Cesia Arborea, Krauseana, Rubricaulis, 
Caulescens minus, — Aurea, ' Watsoniana. 
15 cts. each; set of 15 varieties, $1.75. 
