504 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



There may be other evergreen ferns suitable for woodlands in winter, 

 but if so we have not come across them. Of these four (1) and (2) are 

 almost equal in beauty, and both grow into fine big plants. No. 3 should 

 be used chiefly in conjunction with big rocks or the trunks of trees ; and, 

 except on damp heavy soils, (4) should only be used occasionally to give 

 a little variety.. 



There are two others which, though not strictly speaking evergreen, 

 will generally keep their leaves green till February or even later, and 

 should certainly not be forgotten for the winter woodland : — 



(5) Polystichum angulare. — Very similar to, but with the leaflets 



rather more finely divided than, No (1), and lacking its shiny 

 glazed evergreen look. 



(6) Lastrcea dilatata. — Very desirable, and quite distinct from any of 



the others, and holding its leaves quite long enough to deserve 

 a place in the winter woodland. 



Fern enthusiasts would unhesitatingly recommend a number of the 

 numberless varieties of these six, but we strongly advise our inquirer to 

 be content at first with these ; and when they have become thoroughly 

 well established, then, if he think more diversity required, let him try 

 some of their varieties. The craze for varieties of our native ferns may 

 very easily be overdone ; a very few of them, probably not more than you 

 can tell upon your fingers, are improvements on the natural forms for 

 outdoor growth, and some are actual monstrosities, curious no doubt, and 

 very interesting to the student of nature's possibilities and freaks, but 

 devoid of nature's natural beauty, and generally very difficult to grow in 

 the woodland. 



