520 



JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Not only was cresting developed in the pinnules, but instead of a 

 flat crest a round one was obtained. Another result, different 

 from Mr. Druery's, was from sowing plumosum elegans. It did not 

 result in any " cresting," but in the development of the cutti 

 of the pinnules. 



HARDY FERNS, AND THEIR CULTIVATION. 



By Mr. J. Birkenhead, F.R.H.S. 



There appears to be a prevailing idea that among hardy Ferns 

 there is but little variety ; those, however, who are well acquainted 

 with this section of Ferns know how erroneous such an idea is. 



British Ferns for many years have been receiving attention 

 at the hands of Fern lovers ; their haunts have been searched 

 through and through, their spores have been collected and sown, 

 with the result that while many exceedingly beautiful varieties 

 have been found growing wild, and have been cared for and 

 cultivated, many other equally beautiful kinds have been raised 

 from spores, so that now the variety to be seen in hardy Ferns is 

 as great as that in tender Ferns. 



Hardy Ferns are worthy of the attention of everyone possess- 

 ing a garden. They may be cultivated not only in the specially 

 constructed fernery on a large scale, but they may be inter- 

 mixed with shrubs in borders and in plantations ; they may be 

 planted in beds by themselves, or in nooks and corners and 

 shady places where flowering plants cannot be induced to grow ; 

 indeed there are many places where flowering plants have been 

 tried again and again with unsatisfactory results, causing dis- 

 appointment and annoyance, which, if planted with Ferns, would 

 have become as charming and interesting as any part of the 

 garden. 



But Ferns are not suitable merely to plant where nothing 

 else will grow. There are some varieties possessing such 

 exquisite beauty that they are worthy of the greatest care and 

 attention, and the most conspicuous position they can have 

 assigned them. Not only may they be utilised in the sunless 

 positions referred to, but they are also very suitable for window- 

 boxes outside and for cultivation as window plants inside. How 



