HARDY FERNS AND MOSSES. 
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green, scale-like leaves. The fertile branches bear yellow 
spikes of spore cases. This likes a moist peaty soil in a warm 
sunny position on the rockery. Dryness at the root must be 
carefully guarded against. 
Nephrodium (Male and Buckler Ferns). — Also known 
as Lastrea. This genus contains some of our commonest and 
best known hardy terns, of which the Male fern is often to 
town dwellers the type of all ferns, and to such known by the 
name of “Basket fern,” from its being so commonly hawked 
around in the spting. The bulk of Nephrodiums are easily 
grown and do not mind a moderate exposure to sunlight, and 
are excellent for the rougher and more exposed parts of the 
rockery or fernery. A compost of equal parts loam, leaf-mould, 
peat and sand suits them well, and plenty of water at the root 
is also required. The majority are evergreen, though in town 
gardens the fronds are apt to die down, or at least become 
brown, seared and shabby. Propagation is effected by division 
in spring and by spores. Nephrodium aemulum is the Hay- 
scented Buckler fern, having such a fragrance when the fronds 
arc rubbed between the finger and thumb, especially when 
dried. Easily grown in sun or shade, evergreen, with broad 
crispy fronds having the edges of the divisions curled under, 
hence its old names of N. concavum and N. recurva. Cristata 
is a crested variety. N. atrata, an evergreen Himalayan fern, 
having upright, twice-divided fronds some 2ft. high and Sin. 
broad, disposed evenly round the crown, and of a dark green 
colour. In winter the fronds fall outwards. There is a varie- 
gated variety with yellow streaky variegation— A. variegata. 
Also known as N. hirtipes. N. decurrens is a deciduous 
Chinese species with bipinnate fronds winged along the mid- 
rib ; pale green in colour and about a foot high. N. dilatatum, 
the Broad Buckler fern, is a variable British species, with 
broad, dark-green, multiple-divided fronds, with dark scales 
plentifully clothing the bases of the stalks; likes plenty of root 
room, good soil and moisture. Crispato cristata is a wavv- 
fronded crested variety ; foliosa digitata is a leafy variety ; 
grandiceps is heavily crested ; lepidota is dwarf. N. Filix-mas, 
the Male fern, is another well-known British plant. There are 
three types of it, namely, Filix-mas, with broad, pale green 
fronds ; propinqua, smaller pale or dull green and concave 
fronds ; pseudo-mas, bright green, and plentifully clothed with 
golden-brown scales, this is also more evergreen than the two 
preceding. Each will grow with ease, form large pleasing- 
shaped plants, and is thoroughly hardy. Easily increased from 
spores. Of varieties, F.-m. Barnesii is a taller kind ; F.-m. 
fluctuosa is wavy; F.-m. grandiceps, heavily crested; F.-m. 
pumila, dwarf. Propinqua cristata and grandiceps, both 
