FERN CONFERENCE. 



525 



finely cut, while C. montana has triangular' fronds, quite dis- 

 similar to the others. These are all suitable for planting on 

 roekwork. 



Blechnum spicant (the Hard Fern) is of larger growth. It is 

 an evergreen species, producing two distinct kinds of fronds, the 

 barren usually lying close to the ground, the fertile fronds, much 

 contracted, standing upright. This species grows in large clumps, 

 and is very ornamental as seen in many places wild. There are 

 a number of distinct varieties, as cristatum, a pretty crested 

 form ; Maundcrii, like a green ball ; trinervo coronans, peculiarly 

 crested ; serratum, striatum, and others, not omitting the beauti- 

 ful continuum, with narrow, crimpy fronds. 



The Lady Fern (Athyrium fMx-fc&mina) is one of the most 

 graceful of hardy Ferns, and one of the most prolific in production 

 of varieties. Not only have many varieties been found wild, but 

 from spores there have been so many others raised that we may 

 say of them their name is legion. If it were not impossible, it 

 would be unwise to give names to every one of these, though 

 they differ from others in some respects- 



In the wonderful power of production and variation possesse 

 and exhibited by this and other British species we have a gua- 

 rantee of many yet unseen beauties of the Fern world. If culti- 

 vators, raisers, and hunters of Ferns will exercise a wise discretion 

 in selecting only the most distinct and beautiful as well as the 

 most remarkable in other respects, at the same time discarding 

 all others, the hardy fernery may be replete with most interest- 

 ing subjects, and there will be no lack of handsome kinds 

 which will bear comparison with the more tender Ferns of other 

 countries. 



Among Athyriums there may be mentioned the exceedingly 

 beautiful plumosum, of which there are several distinct forms, 

 which produce in great profusion large plume-like fronds, forming 

 masses of waving green foliage. One of the most lovely of these 

 is plumosum elegans, with its exquisite fronds of pale green cut 

 into fine segments — a perfect picture. A. f.-f. plumosum multifi- 

 dum, a heavily crested variety, is also very handsome, the weight 

 of the crests giving to the already plume-like foliage an addi- 

 tional grace. 



A. f.-f. kalothrix has its foliage so finely cut, and possesses such 

 a peculiar, somewhat glossy appearance, that a little distance away 



