A Dictionary of Choice Ferns. 91 
one of the finest basket Ferns in cultivation. Owing, 
however, to the fact that it is deciduous, it is fre- 
quently forgotten in winter hy being allowed to ^et 
dry, and eventually to die. As a matter of fact, it 
needs to be kept fairly moist at the roots the year 
through. Thus treated, it starts away much 
stronger in spring than if it were regarded as a 
deciduous subject. Another extremely effective 
basket species is A. Williainsii; and the same may be 
said of A, palmatuvi , also a deciduous species that 
Fig. 52. Adiantum reniforme, a small =growing but very hand= 
some and distinct species having Kidney=shaped leathery 
fronds. 
must never be allowed to get dust-dry in winter, 
after it has lost its fronds. 
Of species requiring a little extra attention, 
A. reniforme (Fig. 62) is one. Failures to grow it may 
usually be attributed to one of two causes — too warm 
a temperature or too loamy a soil. When it is 
accorded greenhouse treatment, and is potted in a 
compost of two parts peat, one part fibrous loam, 
and one part coarse silver sand or old lime rubbish, 
it flourishes. Another species having a partiality 
for lime rubbish is A. cristatum; while, unlike the 
family generally, it requires comparatively little 
