Adiantum 
Boston Fern 
Fern Dish 
Ferns and Asparagus 
For house decoration few plants surpass the Ferns for general use, both on account of their 
great beauty and the ease with which they may be kept in good condition. Many plants require 
much sunshine for their best development, but these are naturally at home in partial shade. The 
soil in which they are planted should be rich and well supplied with vegetable matter in the form of 
leaf mold. Water should be furnished freely, but at the same time good drainage must be provided 
that it may drain off freely. The varieties which we are in position to furnish are among the very 
best decorative varieties. They are well grown, vigorous, and healthy. Many of them are splendid 
for planting out-of-doors in suitable locations. 
Most of the Ferns grown for decorative purposes belong to the genus Nephrolepis. For many 
years the Boston Fern, derived from N. exaltata , was the most important member of the group, but 
more recently many new varieties have been developed, so distinctly different in form and appearance 
as to show little in common with the older types. They are of easy culture, many of them, including 
N. bostoniensis and the sturdier forms, succeed well out-of-doors in moist, shady spots in Florida. 
When grown in pots, they require rich soil, good drainage, and a goodly amount of moisture for 
their best development. When well grown, few plants surpass these Ferns in beauty and elegance. 
NEPHROLEPIS davallioides furcans (Stag- Nephrolepis Piersonii (Pierson’s Boston Fern). 
horn Fern). A splendid decorative Fern 
with fronds 2 to 3 feet long, upright at first, 
drooping later. Of easy culture and fine as 
a pot plant. A general favorite throughout 
the South. 
exaltata (Sword Fern). Rather stiff and up¬ 
right; a valuable variety for growing in 
shady places on grounds in the lower South, 
and for planting in window-boxes. 
The following are varieties of N. exaltata : 
bostoniensis (Boston Fern). One of the 
finest decorative Ferns. Very vigorous and 
of easy culture. Succeeds splendidly under 
rather trying conditions, and when well 
grown makes a magnificent specimen, 
elegantissima (Lace Fern). In this variety 
the small leaflets are divided into miniature 
fronds, giving both sides of the frond a very 
beautiful appearance. It is difficult to des¬ 
cribe the great beauty of this variety. 
John Wanamaker (The Wanamaker Boston 
Fern). The fronds are long, narrow, and 
very graceful. 
The pinnae are subdivided into miniature 
fronds, giving the plant a very graceful, 
plumy effect. 
Roosevelt. The pinnae are beautifully 
waved, giving the fronds a distinct appear¬ 
ance. It is a rapid, robust grower. 
Scottii. A rather dwarf variety with spread¬ 
ing leaves, growing in compact clusters. 
splendida. A very strong-growing variety, 
producing fronds of many different types. 
This combination of growth gives the plant 
a strikingly beautiful appearance. 
Teddy Junior. Of vigorous dwarf growth, 
with wavy pinnae and green fronds. Grows 
well under trying conditions. 
Whitmanii. Resembles N. elegantissima, but 
the leaves are more open, fronds almost the 
same on both sides; dense growth. 
Whitmanii compacta. Leaves 15 to 18 
inches long. More compact in growth than 
Whitmanii. A very fine variety. 
MAIDENHAIR FERN (Adiantum cuneatum). 
Beautiful, graceful drooping fronds. 
Prices on the above thirteen varieties: 4 -inch pots, 25 cts. each; larger sizes, 50 cts., 75 cts., $1 and up 
75 
