132 



THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. 



spores, the time gained by rooting the adventitious growths, as compared with 

 the time taken by the complete development of seedlings, is sufficient to give 

 the former process the preference. This mode of propagation is particularly 

 applicable, among exotic Ferns, to several forms of Asplenium bulbiferum, most 

 of which produce small bulbils all over the upper surface or at the extremity 

 of their fronds ; also to several members of the genus Adiantum, Fadyenia 

 prolifera, Cystopteris bidbifera, Scolopendrium (Camptosorus) rhizophyllum, &c. : 

 while, as regards British Ferns, it is restricted to several varieties of Aspidium 

 (Polystichum) aculeatum angular e of the proliferum section, and to a few Scolo- 

 pendriums. Several of the Aspidiums named develop buds in profusion on the 

 surface of their stalks, and it is quite a common occurrence to see a mass of tiny 

 young growths covering their midribs before the fronds decay altogether. As 

 regards the Hartstongue, some forms produce buds on their stalks, as also on 

 the surface and on the edges of their fronds ; in the latter case it is necessary 

 to cut a small portion of the frond to fix them in the soil, and to hold them 

 until the roots have developed. Even in the plumose sections of the Lady Fern 

 a few forms have been found occasionally producing on the back of their 

 fronds bulbils from which young plants can be produced by pegging down. 

 For all the above it is best to detach the young bulbils from the frond when 

 they have three or four rudimentary fronds, and to prick them out in pans, 

 or near the edges of pots, in an open compost similar to that recommended 

 above for sectioned rhizomes. 



We now come to a process of reproduction which is less generally known 

 than any of those previously mentioned : it consists in assisting, or rather in 

 artificially stimulating, the development of buds which, when left to themselves, 

 usually remain dormant at the base of the stalks of the fronds of certain 

 species. This is particularly applicable, among exotic kinds, to Angiopteris 

 and Marattias, whose fronds are surrounded at their base by fleshy appendages, 

 each provided with two buds, which seldom, if ever, develop when left on the 

 plant, but which, on being placed in a compost of an open nature, and 

 subjected to heat and moisture, never fail to produce handsome young plants. 

 Among British kinds this peculiar process may be applied with advantage in 

 the reproduction of some varieties of the Male Fern, of the Hartstongue, and 

 even of some forms of the Lady Fern ; for it has been found that the basal 

 portions of the old, decayed fronds, which for many years retain some vitality, 



