269 
PARK AND CEMETERY 
to ef¥ect a contact with any female organ. All they re- 
quire to promote germination is a moist surface of rock 
or earth separate or combined, or that of tree bark 
or a brick wall, suitably situated as to heat and light or 
shade, when they more or less speedily produce the re- 
markable cell formations which expand to the filmy 
green growths with which all fern growers are familiar. 
They are the variously shaped “prothallia’’ whose func- 
tions seem to be largely those of the uterus of animals. 
As the growths proceed processes analogous to anthers 
— “antheridia” are developed on their lower sides or 
edges — which differ a good deal both in structure and 
methods, but bear infinitely small spirals or comma- 
like bodies which seem to perform the functions of 
true pollen grains. Moisture at suitable degrees of 
heat is absolutely essential to the swelling of the cells, 
and this explains why seed pans are covered with glass. 
Moreover, the sperm-spirals are actually said to have 
been observed darting about like animalculse in the dew 
drops hanging to the filmy “prothallia,” as though 
water were necessary to their conveyance. Female or- 
gans are sparingly produced called “archegonia,” which 
seem to bear some analogy to the naked flask-shaped 
ovule of a conifer, and these fertilized by the before- 
mentioned spirals, “antherozoa,” give birth to the first 
little bud and leaf of the future fern — not to a seed. 
There are botanists who claim to have microscopical- 
ly watched all of the processes, and from the time of 
ALSOPHILA LATEBROSA, MOUNTAINS OF SOUTH 
INDIA, ETC. 
the publication of papers by Count Suminski in 1848 to 
the present, the discussions on the subject have been 
numerous. 
Besides the ordinary methods there are several more 
or less abnormal means of reproduction such as may 
be observed in the viviparous species. Others some- 
times increase by a remarkable kind of cell production, 
or again by buds borne on scales at the base of the 
leaf-stalks, while many increase rapidly by running or 
climbing rhizomes. Some of these are otherwise infer- 
tile. 
James MacPherson. 
(To be continued.) 
ANNUAL CONVENTION OF NURSERYMEN. 
The thirteenth annual meeting of the American 
Association of Nurserymen will be held at West 
Baden Springs, Ind., June 14, 15 and 16, 1905. An 
extensive, interesting and varied program has been pre- 
pared and a large attendance is expected. 
Among the papers of chief interest to be read and 
discussed are the following: The Cost of a Tree, by 
Hiarry L. Bird ; The Low Prices of Ornamental Stock, 
by Charles Maloy; A Tree Garden to Last a Thousand 
Years, by J. Plorace McFarland, (stereopticon) ; The 
New Horticulture, by H. W. Stringfellow ; Quality vs. 
Quantity, by Prof. John Craig; San Jose Scale Again — 
the Best Spray, by F. C. Hall ; Excluding Advertise- 
ments Quoting Prices, by J. M. Irvine. 
By aid of the stereopticon the interesting papers of 
the evening sessions will be fully illustrated. It has 
been the endeavor of the committee to make this year’s 
program an eminently practical one, and the subjects 
presented will be of unusual interest to both fruit and 
ornamental planters. 
Interesting features of entertainment promised will 
include a “fruit banquet” to be served on the evening 
of the last day and an excursion to Mammoth Cave, 
Ky., on the day following. ) 
ANOTHER USE FOR THE CROWBAR. 
Transplanting large shrubs is usually a tedious and 
clumsy operation ; yet it often has to be done to relieve 
overcrowding, or to make at once an effect that plants 
of regular nursery sizes would take years to produce. 
Almost every shrub, deciduous or evergreen, can be 
moved successfully when mature, so long as it is not 
past its maturity and sinking into the stage of de- 
crepitude when dead stumps and sticks begin to crowd 
out the growing wood. Such large and heavy plants 
can be pried out of the ground easily and quickly with 
a crowbar. Dig a circle round the shrub one spit deep, 
work the bar well under the root, and with a stone or 
piece of wood foi a fulcrum raise up the whole mass. 
Two bars, one on each side are better still. It takes a 
little practice to find the best ways to handle these tools, 
but it is worth the trouble. A shrub raised like this will 
usually come out with better and longer roots than one 
dug in the ordinary way. 
H. A. Caparn. 
