ON FERNS. 



557 



if not separated in good time from the mother-plant, these latent 

 growths are almost sure to become abortive. 



In dealing with species which have the latent buds disposed 

 on the scales at the base of their fronds, the operation consists 

 in assisting, or rather in artificially stimulating their development, 

 for, when left to themselves, they usually remain dormant, and 

 eventually become abortive. This applies particularly to Angiop- 

 teris and Marattias, whose fronds are surrounded at their base 

 by fleshy scales, each provided with two buds, which seldom, if 

 ever, develop if left on the plants, but which, carefully 

 taken off and placed in a compost of an open nature, and 

 subjected to the influences of heat and moisture, produce young 

 plants. This also applies to certain of our British species, 

 especially Lastreas, Scolopendriums, and Polystichums, for it has 

 been observed that the basal portion of the old fronds contain 

 such latent buds, which, when detatched with the portion of 

 the fronds bearing them, usually develop young plants in the 

 same manner. 



Propagation from Tubers and Bulbils. — Certain species, such 

 as Cystopteris btilbifera, are provided with bulbils on their 

 fronds, or, like several Nephrolepis, with distinct tubers on their 

 stolons. These, when taken off and potted, soon form young 

 plants. Others, such as certain Adiantums and Platyceriums, 

 form small bulbils on their roots. These should be allowed to 

 develop one or two fronds, when they may safely be taken off 

 and treated as seedlings, and produce young plants in every 

 respect similar to the parent plants. 



Selection of Kinds for Special Purposes. 



With a view to helping in the plantation or in the cultivation of 

 outdoor, cool, and warm ferneries, and also of supplying the 

 necessary information for making the same as attractive as possible, 

 it has been thought advisable to give several separate lists of the 

 Ferns best adapted to special requirements, as follows, and to 

 (where the degree of hardiness or tenderness is not indicated in 

 the heading) mark with an asterisk {^) those kinds which 

 thrive best under warm treatment. Those species and varieties 

 which succeed under ordinary greenhouse treatment, and which 

 are the most numerous, have no special mark, whereas those 

 marked t are perfectly hardy. 



Tree Ferns. 



Alsophila australis. Brainea insignis.* 



contaminans.* Cyathea arborea.* 



Cooperii. dealbata. 



excelsa. - Dregei.* 

 Rebeccae. insignis.* 

 villosa.* meduUaris (Fig. 331). 



