— 5o— 



rather common. The exact reasons for our considering 

 tenebrosum a variety of matric aria 'folium is that in form, 

 place of growth, time of fruiting, etc., it resembles ma- 

 triar ice folium enough to be a form of it. The last time 

 we heard from Mr. Davenport on the subject he also 

 thought as we do. We suspect, though, that Air. Eaton 

 would hardly subscribe to the statement that he had 

 given up tenebrosum. It may be added that comments, 

 criticisms and corrections of the check-list are invited 

 from all. In no other way can we place a correct list 

 before American fern students. — Ed.] 



FERN CULTURE. 



The raising of ferns from spores is at once the easiest 

 and most convenient method of increase with varieties 

 that adapt themselves to this means of propagation. The 

 selection of spores is necessarily the first step. This, 

 with some of the varieties, requires strict observation 

 and some little experience to catch them just at the 

 proper stage. Though as a general rule ripeness is in- 

 dicated by the sori turning brown or beginning to shake 

 off. Some of the genera, notably the Davallias shed the 

 spores more easily than others and the inexperienced 

 are often apt to delay too long and gather instead of 

 ripe spores fronds with but empty cells. 



The fronds when gathered should be wrapped closely 

 in paper and laid in a dry, warm place for a week or two 

 until thoroughly dry, after which the spores can be read- 

 ily shaken off. The general opinion is that the sooner 

 they are sown after being thoroughly ripened the better, 

 and although not usually necessary to keep them for any 

 length of time, I have sown spores of Ptcris tremula 

 that had been wrapped up in paper for two years with 

 satisfactory results. Another somewhat difficult matter 

 is to get spores of the individual varieties true or un- 

 mixed. Fern spores are of such a light nature that the 

 least breath of air will carry them all over the house, 



