THE CENTURY BOOK OF GARDENING. 



percristatum Druery, besides its delicate plumose 

 cutting, has immense comminuted tassels at the 

 top of the frond, large ones on the side divisions, 

 smaller ones on the sub-divisions of these, and 

 finally the ultimate tiny sections are distinctly 

 fanned at the tips, and all as even as a die. The 

 pedigree of this Fern is (i) the common Lady 

 Fern, (2) a plumose form found in afield at Axmin- 

 ster, (3) a finer cut form raised from a spore 

 of that, all so far uncrested, then (4) a sudden 

 break' on a batch of youngsters into cresting, and 

 the selection of Aft . p: umosum superbum Druery, 

 the mother of the one described. To illustrate 

 this pedigree as far as superbum, we give a 

 photograph showing the various stages, and 

 another showing incomparably the finest Lady 

 Fern existing (Alt', plumosum Druery), a sister 

 plant of percristatu m , though absolutely 

 uncrested. 



Ferns, however, vary in other ways ; 

 some have their fronds rolled up and curled, 

 others have them and their side divisions 

 abruptly terminated with a pocket or a 

 thorn, while in the Hart's-tongue the plumose 

 character takes the shape of beautiful frills, 

 and sometimes these have lacy edges. Both 

 these again may be associated with beautifully 

 fimbriate tassels. The variety, indeed, is not only charming but endless, and of late 

 years there has been established a splendid outdoor collection at Kew embracing some 

 thousands of plants and hundreds of forms, including most of the best. 



Having now dilated somewhat upon the 

 merits of these varietal forms, we may next 

 consider their culture and adaptability for 

 ornamental purposes to country and even town 

 gardens. In the first place, then, with very 

 rare exceptions, the constitutions of these highly- 

 improved types are as robust and hardy as that 

 of the common ones, which, being native, are 

 necessarily fitted to withstand our severest 

 winters. Herein they obviously possess a great 

 advantage over tenderer exotics ; but, inasmuch 

 as their loveliness entitles them to every care, 

 it is clearly a mistake to place the delicately cut 

 forms in positions where they are likely to suffer 

 from drought or stress of weather. Here we 

 must study Nature. It is in some secluded glen, 

 the air cool and moist, the soil the same and 

 made up of leaf mould and rocky debris, 

 the blustering winds excluded by the leafy 

 screen of surrounding, but not overtopping, 



trees, which also shade them largely from the sun, athyrium f. f. revolvens. 



A FRILLED HART'S-TONGUE. 



