72 
Choice Ferns for Amateurs. 
Impatient of disturbance is the distinct A. scoloyen- 
drifolium : indeed, so long as watering is carefully 
performed it succeeds best when pot-bound. It must 
also be remembered that this family is one in which 
certain species are met with having running 
rhizomes. Such are best provided with mounds, 
which the rhizomes soon cover. Generally speaking, 
these prostrate stems require to be kept on the sur- 
face. At first a few wooden pegs are necessary to 
fasten them thereto; but the necessity for 
this disappears directly the plants make headway. 
Where fronds have been sparingly produced on the 
rhizomes a system of " pinching is frequently 
adopted. This consists in nipping out the extremity 
of the rhizome during active growth, but never while 
the plants are at rest. 
Propagation may be effected by spores ; by division 
of the crowns in the case of those species showing 
such a characteristic ; or by cutting up those species 
having creeping rhizomes while the plants are at 
rest, and pegging each piece bearing a couple of 
fronds and a few roots upon a mixture made of 
equal parts of chopped sphagnum, rough fibrous 
peat, and coarse sand. In a genial warmth such 
as that of an ordinary propagating-case the young 
plants will soon develop. When propagating Ferns 
by division, it is necessary first to wait until at least 
two centres of growth have been developed. All 
that remains to be done is to pull the crowns apart 
just before growth commences — middle of March to 
the middle of April. By this means a long season 
of growth is available for the young plants. 
Botanists now include under this family the 
following : Aco7iiopteris, Chry sodium, Ege7iolfia, 
Elaphoglossum, Gyvinopteris, Hymenolepis, Olfersia, 
Photinopteris, Polybotrya, Rhipidopteris, Soromanes, 
and Stenochlcena. 
A. acuminatum. 
On account of the gracefully drooping character of its 
light green, firm-textured fronds, produced from a thick, 
climbing rhizome, this Brazilian stove species is considered 
one of the most decorative in the genus. The harren fronds, 
