54 



THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. 



in a compost of a very open nature, in which old mortar and Brick dust 

 predominate. 



Quite different in habit, as well as in size and vigour, from the above- 

 named Maidenhairs is Adiantuin Williamsii, a species also native of Chili, but 

 whose foliage, ornamented with golden powder, attains much larger dimensions. 

 This highly decorative and deservedly popular Fern, which is a most satis- 

 factory grower, makes, in a remarkably short time, a splendid specimen, 

 especially when grown in a hanging basket, in which position its long, 

 pendulous fronds, laden with numerous rounded pinnules, develop and show 

 themselves to advantage. The plant shows its beautiful colour in quite a 

 } 7 oung state, especially along the stalk and on the outside of the partially- 

 developed fronds ; but when these are fully grown, the distinctive golden 

 character is discernible only at the base and along the lower half of the 

 stalks. It is, nevertheless, a Fern which, if only on account of the peculiarly 

 yellowish or golden hue of its nearly reniform pinnules, deserves to be grown 

 in every collection. 



In the sub-section of Ferns whose "silver" character is not clue to the 

 presence of farinose powder, but is only the result of a uniform layer of white 

 or glaucous colour on the under side of their foliage, the most conspicuous, 

 as also the most popularly-known, kinds are, no doubt, the New Zealand 

 Cyathea dealbata and the tropical American Alsophila pruinata, both Tree 

 Ferns of great interest, the latter of which, though w 7 ell deserving of 

 cultivation, is but very little known. Both species require the same treat- 

 ment, which is not in any way different from that recommended in Chapter III., 

 for greenhouse Tree Ferns in general. In both cases their noble fronds 

 partake, to about an equal degree of intensity, of the same silvery character 

 which is shared by several Gleichenias, notably G. Cunnvnghmni, G. rupestris, 

 G. circinata [speluncce of commerce), G. lo?igissima, and others more or less 

 frequently found in collections. These handsome and curious Ferns differ 

 from all others by their peculiar mode of growth, their semi-scandent fronds 

 attaining an indefinite length. They are generally credited with a great 

 amount of fastidiousness ; this, however, is not the case. It is usually 

 thought that their culture is surrounded with all sorts of difficulties, whereas 

 the magnificent specimens which from time to time one admires at flower 

 shows, seem to point to a totally different opinion. The majority of them 



