Photos by H. H. Swift, M. D. 
Summer Ferns for Indoors 
WHAT SPECIES AND VARIETIES BEAR TRANS¬ 
PLANTING — THE CARE AND TREATMENT 
NECESSARY FOR GROWTH INSIDE THE HOUSE 
The most serviceable of summer ferns belong 
to the genus Aspidium. Of these, A. spin- 
ulosum intermedium is most satisfactory 
T HE fern lover 
who gathers 
a wild garden out¬ 
side his door is 
sure to take a frac¬ 
tion of the woods' 
inside his home for 
the summer 
month s, that he 
may travel there in 
spirit whenever he longs for sylvan retreats and tinkling brooks 
which he cannot reach. Aside from acknowledged beauty and 
grace, the only attributes visible to the lay mind, the restful charm 
of environment which ferns suggest is greater by far to the genu¬ 
ine nature lover. They are restful also to the eye. There is, how¬ 
ever, a practical side to be considered regardless of the senti¬ 
ment which the presence of ferns induces. 
Comparatively few of our native ferns adapt themselves to in¬ 
door life, being physically unable to withstand the transition from 
the great out-doors to the dryer air and dewless nights inside. 
Therefore, intelligent selection of species is imperative for suc¬ 
cessful decorative efforts with these shy wildlings. 
Among other facts demonstrated by long experience is the use¬ 
lessness of potting immature specimens of the larger ferns; they 
are apt to become distorted in tbe half-light of shaded houses; 
therefore, it is better to wait until the fronds are strong enough 
to withstand the disturbance of transplanting and have assumed 
a normal pose. The reverse is true of certain delicate species. 
Longer service may be expected if fructification is not advanced. 
Aside from the selection of service¬ 
able species a knowledge of the man¬ 
ner of root-growth is necessary for suc¬ 
cessful transplanting either out-of- 
doors or in. It is worth while to sacri¬ 
fice a few plants with this idea in view, 
that others may be taken from native 
haunts without retarding the growth 
of the entire plant or injury to the 
fronds already developed. Ferns from 
the genus Aspidium that grow from a 
central crown are often uprooted with 
the hand alone, others require some 
cutting. Ferns that spring from an un¬ 
derground branching rootstock that 
sends up but one frond in a place are 
likely to be disturbed unless a section 
of turf is carefully cut and lifted. To 
this class belong the Phegoptcris and 
Adiantitm pedatmn. 
Unsuccessful attempts to grow ferns 
indoors or out, after proper lifting, are 
often due to over-zealous efforts. The 
inexperienced culturist is sure to plant 
too deep. No arbitrary rules can be 
given, but nature’s methods are safe to , , . , 
tollow, and these she varies for dif¬ 
ferent genera, so each species should be observed before planting. 
The most serviceable summer ferns for indoor use belong to the 
genus Aspidium. Of these, A. spinulosum var. intermedium is 
by far the most satisfactory. It is easily uprooted, rarely wilts 
and thrives anywhere if fairly treated ; it excels other' species in 
its indifference to change of light. It is a lovely fern, delicately 
cut but of firm texture, but it is no small feat to get a large plant 
out of a wooded swamp unbroken. There is only one way: tuck 
the roots under one’s arm, holding the fronds back with the 
elbow, and then go ahead no matter how thick the underbrush 
may be. Superb specimens may thus be secured in perfect con¬ 
dition. 
The type of shield fern (A. spinulosum ) is beautiful but re¬ 
quires stronger light, as it grows more in the open than the va¬ 
riety described. This is equally true of its more imposing var. 
dilatatum, which is big and plumy, very effective in the right place. 
For second choice we have the maidenhair ( Adiantum peda- 
tum). Many people consider this the most beautiful of all known 
ferns, far exceeding that of A. spinulosum var. intermedium, but 
as they are of distinct types, comparisons should not be made. 
The beauty of the maidenhair is architectural, the most graceful 
thing in fern creation. The texture, although delicately mem¬ 
branous, is very elastic and therefore holds its freshness for a 
longer time than most ferns out of doors or in. If taken up 
properly it grows on with little interruption. 
As an excellent foil for other ferns the Christmas fern ( Poly- 
stichum acrostichoides ) has no rival, deep green and glossy, too 
well known to need much comment. The endurance of this 
species depends largely upon whether the roots were disturbed in 
considered the most beautiful of ferns, grows steadily and holds its 
freshness for a long time 
(no) 
