FERN CONFERENCE. 



531 



Polystichum acrostichoides is a distinct and very hardy 

 species ; the variety incisum is very pretty. 



Lastrea Goldiana, L. intermedia, L. marginale, Polystichum 

 Braunii, Woodwardia angustifolia, and W. virginica are all very 

 distinct. Phegopteris hexagonoptera is like a large Beech Fern, 

 deeply cut. Aspidium ncvadcnse is of a pale delicate green 

 colour, its fronds emitting a pleasing perfume when touched. 

 Dennstcedtia punctilobula is also an attractive Fern. Lastrea 

 fragrans, a dwarf compact species, with its strongly Violet- 

 scented fronds, is neat and pleasing in appearance. 



These, with several of the Woodsias and a number of others 

 which hear a strong resemblance to some of our British species, 

 are the most hardy and suitable of the North American Ferns 

 for outside cultivation in this country. 



From Japan there come the glossy-leaved Cyrtomium 

 falcatum ; its duller-leaved relatives, C. Fortuneii and C. Caryo- 

 tidium ; the handsome bright glossy Polystichum setosum ; the 

 leathery-fronded Lastrea Sieboldii, L. opaca, L. varia, L. atrata ; 

 the very distinct L.prolijica, which bears crowds of little bulbils 

 on its fronds; the very handsome Polystichum concavum; the 

 Woodicardia orientalis, also bearing young plants in large 

 numbers on its long spreading fronds ; W. japonica, and Lastrea 

 decurrens. These, except the last, are all evergreen when pro- 

 tected from frost, and hardy enough to bear our winters in most 

 parts of England, unless the situation is bleak and unfavourable. 

 It is nevertheless advisable to put some little protection about 

 them ; it will not do any harm even if not actually required. 



Strnthiopteris germanica, a European Fern, resembles the 

 American S. pennsylvanica, but is smaller and neater in appear- 

 ance. Lomaria alpina and L. crenulata are hardy dwarf- 

 growing, creeping kinds, and Lomaria chilense is a large- 

 growing, leathery-fronded species, very ornamental. 



There are a few other Exotics which may be hardy enough 

 for outside cultivation in some parts, but not in others ; but, 

 leaving these out, there is clearly an immense field for selection 

 of beautiful and ornamental hardy Ferns, not to mention the 

 curious and, from one point of view, less attractive, though none 

 the less interesting varieties. 



Given the conditions mentioned earlier on, hardy Ferns, 

 without doubt, will prove a source of very great pleasure to those 



