22 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



FEENS. 



By H. B. May, V.M.H. 



[Read March 19, 1912; Mr. W. A. Bilney, J.P., in the Chair.] 



So much has been written, and well written, about Ferns in recent 

 years that I am dif&dent in approaching the subject ; but I know that 

 garden lovers are prone to emulate the much-quoted 'busman, who 

 is said to have spent his holiday riding on another vehicle, inasmuch 

 as when not occupied in their own gardens they are frequently found 

 inspecting the gardens of others, or listening to information associated 

 with their hobby. This by way of extenuation. 



Perhaps no class of plants presents so great a diversity as Ferns, 

 differing not only in appearance and structure, but equally in their 

 environment. Some revel in tropical swamps, others are equally at 

 home on dry walls ; and it is that diversity of form and habitat that so 

 greatly enhances their value. 



It is no part of my programme to attempt to instruct 

 those who already have an intimate acquaintance with my 

 subject; but my desire is to interest and enlist the sym_pathy of 

 those who have little or no knowledge of the pleasure that may be 

 derived from the intelligent cultivation of Ferns, and especially I 

 would direct attention to their utility and adaptability for house 

 decoration. So popular are they at the present day that it will be a 

 surprise to many that their use for this purpose is of comparatively 

 recent origin. Indeed, it was not until about 1860 that the London 

 florists used the cut fronds of the Maiden Hair to any great extent 

 in making up their bouquets, and it was a, few years later before 

 Ferns in pots were seen in Oovent Garden. The pioneers in Fern 

 culture for decorative work were my old friends the late Mr. Herbst, 

 of Eichmond, and Mr. Ouvrard, of Child's Hill, and perhaps the most 

 popular Fern of the present day is Pteris Ouvrardii, better known as 

 Pteris major, many hundreds of thousands of which are disposed of 

 annually at Covent Garden and elsewhere. During the series of 

 exhibitions held at South Kensington in the 'eighties, miniature pots 

 and vases for small Ferns were produced by Messrs. Doulton and 

 others, and became so popular that many thousands were disposed of 

 each season. This was the commencement of the trade in small Ferns 

 that has now assumed proportions that are quite incalculable. Those 

 principally in demand are Pieris Ouvrardii, P. albolineata and its 

 variety Alexandrae, P. tremula, Adiantum cuneatum and its 

 variety elegans, Cyrtommm falcatum, popularly known as the holly 

 Fern, several species of Asylenium, and many varieties of N eplirolepis . 

 The development of the latter during the last few years is so remark- 

 able that I feel impelled to make a more extensive reference to 

 them later in my paper. Another excellent plant is Todea africana 



