A Dictionary of Choice Ferns. 
159 
whether adapted to stove or to greenhouse treatment, 
all thrive in a mixture of three parts sandy peat and 
one part fibrous loam. They also succeed admirably 
in places where light is not abundant, and where few 
other Ferns would hold their own. The British 
portion of this group is represented by the Prickly 
Shield Fern and its numerous varieties, all of which 
are free-growing, easily managed, and very desirable 
either for the outdoor rockery, for the indoor Fernery, 
or for pot culture. All are evergreen, delighting in 
a mixture of sandy loam and fibrous peat in equal 
parts, resting on a sound drainage. Although, when 
once established, the influence of strong slight is not 
injurious to them, they produce much finer fronds 
when given a shady situation. During the growing 
season they require to be freely supplied with water 
at the roots, and to be kept constantly moist during 
the winter. British Aspidiums are also excellent 
Ferns for pot culture, as they bear indoor treatment 
much better than most native Ferns. Except in 
cases of rare varieties, which are only increased by 
division of the crowns, their propagation is usually 
effected by means of spores ; these are abundantly 
produced. If sown as they ripen, at the end of the 
summer, they germinate rapidly, and make, during 
the following summer, young plants which are very 
valuable for the decoration of the greenhouse and of 
the conservatory during the ensuing winters. 
The deservedly popular Ferns belonging to the 
section Cyrtomium, and of which A. falcatum is the 
best, are amongst the most useful known decorative 
plants, on account of their rapid growth and their 
firm, leathery texture ; while all are distinct and 
handsome. They thrive even in rooms and on stair- 
cases, where their leathery foliage seems to defy 
draughts, smoke, and gas better than any other 
Ferns. On that account such Ferns as A. {Cyrto- 
mium) falcaticm and its varieties (Fig. 67) are grown 
in immense quantities to supply the market. Their 
bold and shining foliage forms a striking contrast to 
that of finer-cut species when planted out in the cool 
Fernery. For that special purpose such plants are of 
