256 
Choice Ferns for Amateurs. 
growing season. ^ Although they do not actually 
suffer from occasional waterings overhead, it is very 
doubtful if they derive any benefit therefrom : the 
foliage of many being of a soft texture, soon gets 
spotted and loses its beauty if allowed to remain in 
a wet condition for any length of time. In any case, 
the plants must not be kept close; confinement in 
the case of ISTephrodiums means not only an invasion 
of thrips, their greatest enemy, but also that brown- 
ness of mature fronds which often puzzles the 
amateur grower, but which, by the practical man, 
is never mistaken for insect depredations. The 
only way to avoid such unhealthy appearances is to 
grow the plants in well-ventilated houses, where 
moisture cannot condense on their fronds. 
Nephrodiums are easily and rapidly propagated 
by spores : the species with creeping rhizomes may 
also be increased by the division of these organs, in 
March and April. 
N. aemulum. 
This handisome Britisli species is commonly called the 
^^Hay-scented Buckler Fern'' on laccount of the fragriance 
that is emitted by the dried fronds when crumpled between 
the fingers. It is readily distinguished from any other, 
comprised in the genus by its peculiarly crisped lappeanance. 
It is of easy culture, and m:ay be grown with success in 
nearly any degree of shiade, entirely excluded from the sun, 
or in la situation exposed to the laction of its full rays ; but 
in the latter position it is of less luxuriant habit, whereas 
in the shade it will unfold its fronds abundantly and make 
a noble object. It is an evergreen species, thriving best in 
a mixture of sandy loam and leaf-mould in about equal pro- 
portions. There are few noteworthy varieties. 
N. albo = punctatum. 
Under this name is known a pretty evergreen stove 
species, native of Guinea, Natal, Fiji, &c., that has an 
appearance of being variegated owing to the fact of the 
upper surface of its leaflets being covered with small white 
dots. 
N. atratum. 
This is synonymous with N. hi7^tipes. 
N. cristatum 
The Crested Shield Fern or Crested Buckler Fern of 
this country, and the Crested Wood Fern of America, is 
