142 



DREERS FINE FERNS. 



Our collection of Ferns is the most extensive in this country. We an- 

 nually produce over two millions of these plants, which shows their great 

 popularity. 



Mr. Ehen. E. Rexford, the well known horticultural writer, who has had 

 cm-iderable experience with Ferns, has written the following cultural 

 notes expressly for this book : 



•• While few members of the Fern family are adapted to culture in the or- 

 dinary living room because of its dry air, there are several that we cannot 

 aff ird to overlook for this purpose, like the newer types of the Boston 

 Fern, among which Wkitmani is one of the best, with finely divided pinnae, 

 making the frond look like a feathery plume. Scotli is a Boston Fern of 

 compact habit and density of growth, which features make it very desir- 

 able for the window, where room is limited. Perhaps the best Maiden 

 Hair Fern for house culture is Adiantwn Croweanum, which stands the 

 dry atmosphere better than any other member of this graceful genus. 

 Pteris Wilsoni, with finely crested fronds, is good ; also Pterin Victoria 

 which has silvers- variegations through its leaves. Another fine Fern is 

 Cyrtomium Falcatum, better known'as the Holly Fern. This is so unlike 

 ordinary Ferns that one would hardly suppose it to be a member of the 

 family. It- foliage is think and leathery, dark green in color, with glossy 

 surface. 



The best soil for Ferns is one com- 

 posed of leaf mould or turfy matter, 

 with a little sharp sand worked in. 

 Plenty of water should lie given, but 

 good drainage should be provided to 

 guard against the danger from over 

 watering. Keep the plants out of the 

 Bun. Clip off all runners from the 

 Boston Ferns and allow but two or 

 three crowns to a plant. If allowed t > 

 subdivide itself, a< it seems inclined to 

 do when left alone, the pot will soon 

 be filled with crowns, greatly i . the 

 detriment of the foliage. 



About the only enemy that the Fern 

 has is the mealy-bug. It is a difficult 

 matter to get rid of this pest if it at- 

 tacks the plant, because the from I - 

 not be handled much without injuring 

 them. It is therefore advisable to 

 keep vigilant watch over the plants 

 and see that this pest has no chance to 

 establish itself on them. 





■ 



br^S 



f.- 







V 



i 



1 









Cyrtomium Falcatum. 



Adianti t m Ckoweani'm. 



Six of the Best 



Ferns for House 



Culture* 



Of the hundreds of varieties of 

 Ferns which we grow the follow- 

 ing six sorts are undouhtedly 

 among the best for house culture, 

 and have the endorsement of 

 Mr. Eben. E. Rexford, who has 

 tried them under ordinary living 

 room conditions. They are all 

 quite distinct, and form a very 

 interesting collection. 



A di a n turn Croweanum 



[Maiden Hair). A graceful 

 and pretty variety. 25 cts. and 

 50 cts. each. 



Ni phroi I n 



Cyrtomium Falcatum (JTbWj Fern). Broad, dark, glossy green foli- 

 age; v.-rv ornamental. 25 Cts, and 50 cts. each. 



Nephrolepis Scotti [Dwarf Boston Fern). Identical to the famous Bos- 

 ton Fern, but of dwarfer. more compact and bushy habit. 15 cts., 25 

 cts. and 75 cts. each. Specimen plants, $2.50 each. 



Nephrolepis Whitmaiii [Improved Ostrich Plume Fern). The most 

 valuable of this type, with handsome broad, plume-like fronds. )5 cts., 

 25 cts. and 75 cts. each. Specimen plant-, s 1 .no to$2.50 each. 



Pteris Wilsoni [Crested Fern). A most satisfactory variety with pret- 

 tily eve-ted fronds. 25 Cts. and 50 CtS. each. 



Pteris Victories [Silver Variegated Fern). A lovely sort with a silvery 



variegation through the centre of each leaf. 25 cts, and 50 cts. each. 



A Hire plant of each "f the above 6 Sorts lor $1.25. 



A larger " •• ■' •• 6 " " 3.00. 



SEEAGINEEEAS, OR MOSSES. 



Useful in connection with Ferns for the filling of Wardian Cases, Fer« 

 I>i-he-. etc. The varieties offered below are among the most interesting : 

 Amoena, Caspidata, Krauseana Variegata, 



Brauniij Emiliana, Harteusi, 



Cassia, Flabellata* Kuliclla, 



Csesia Arborea, Krauseana, Iluhriraiilis, 



Canlesceas minus, — Aurea. Watsoaiana. 



15 cts. each : sot of 15 varieties, (1.75. 



For General List of Fine Ferns see next page See also Novelties, pages 115 to 130. 



