FERNS. 



25 



The number of ferns amenable to greenhouse treatment is very 

 great, including as ib does a large majority of the Adiantums and 

 nearly all the species of Pteris, which in themselves are so numerous 

 that every taste may be gratified. Here again we find the Davallias, 

 Aspleniums, Cyrtomiums, Lastreas (of which I would specially com- 

 mend L. ery thro sera), Lomarias, Lygodiums, indispensable as climb- 

 ing plants, many Nephrolepis including the lovely exaltata siiperha, and 

 several Platyceriums and Osmundas (figs. 18, 19), of which again we 

 have several introductions of sterling merit in recent years that aTe well 

 worthy of attention. Of Pteris may be mentioned Pteris Childsii, 

 P. Alexandrae, several varieties of P. serrulata, P. Summer sii, and 

 P. Wimsettii. Then there are the glorious Todea superha and other 

 filmy ferns such as Trichomanes radicans and T. reniforme (fig. 14). 

 As previously mentioned, the varieties of Nephrolepis are many, and 

 should be in every collection. Among comparatively recent intro- 

 ductions are N. Marshallii (fig. 15) and its variety com/pacta, N. 

 Scholzellii, N. Todeoides, N. Whitmanii, N. crispato-congesta (a verit- 

 able pigmy, intensely interesting), N. Mayi ornata, and TV. super- 

 hissima, all of them worthy of attention. These are but a tithe of 

 what may be selected with advantage, but they will afford the beginner 

 some indication of the good things at his disposal. 



Hardy ferns are so great in variety and many of them so easy of 

 cultivation that no one need despair. Athyriums, Lastreas, Osmundas, 

 Polypodiums (fig. 16), Polystichums, and Scolopendriums in infinite 

 variety afford an almost unlimited choice to the cultivator. A very 

 desirable kind in this section is Pteris Nicholsonii, thought by some 

 ■to be synonymous with P. esculenta, but my revered friend the late 

 Mr. Geo. Nicholson, the well-known Curator of Kew Gardens, who 

 kindly sent it to me, and whose knowledge of ferns was. very extensive, 

 was not of that opinion, and only a short time before his death he 

 dictated a letter expressing the pleasure and appreciation of himself 

 and family at its being named after him. It makes a capital basket- 

 plant, the Gleichenia-like rhizomes spreading rapidly, and the fronds 

 have that hardness of texture so desirable in plants that are used for 

 suspension and are consequently much exposed. 



Many persons when expressing their admiration of ferns regret 

 they have no suitable place in which to grow them. May I say there 

 are but few places that with a small expenditure of time and ingenuity 

 may not be adapted? Some ferns may be grown with success amidst 

 most unpromising surroundings ; some of the finest plants of 

 the beautiful Scolopendrium crispum I have ever seen were 

 growing in an open border in a suburban garden, no shade 

 of any kind being afforded, nor were they ever watered; but 

 before planting the ground had been deeply dug, and each season 

 the plants were liberally top-dressed with manure. Even the back- 

 yard of a town dwelling may be made attractive, providing protection 

 is given from the depredations of domestic animals. Many varieties 

 of filmy ferns need only the shelter of a cold frame. At Wisley 



