38 
Fred’k H. Horsford, Charlotte, Vermont 
Hardy Terns 
The greater portion of the Ferns of the world grow in the warmer countries. The number of species 
decreases as we go north. Only 40 to 50 of the 2,500 said to have been discovered in the world are suited 
to outdoor culture in ordinary soils and situations. But with this comparative few, which are quite hardy 
so far as cold weather is concerned, we have enough to 
Adiantum pedatum. (See opposite page.) 
make a very good showing. Ferns as a rule do well 
in shade, and for tilling places where grass and other 
things can’t be grown they are invaluable. It is 
necessaiy to give them a good, dark soil, say a 
mixture of sand, leaf-mold and turf loam, and also 
lo have the soil moist about their roots, with per¬ 
fect drainage. A shady corner under a maple tree, 
whose roots reach every point for a long distance in 
all directions, would not be a very good place to set 
Ferns—better place them in full sun; but this sort 
of shade is not the only shade to be found around 
most homes. When leaf-mold is not to be had, a 
well-decayed peat will take its place, or a fine chip 
dirt, well decayed, is excellent. Ferns do well set 
in spring, but they may be set in midsummer by 
cutting back the fronds, and will so establish them¬ 
selves before winter as to make a fine showing the 
following year. The rockery is a proper place 
for many Ferns. Indeed, it is the only place for 
some, if we would give them the same sort of home 
that they have when growing wild. They grow 
stronger and more beautiful yearly. 
I do not advise planting Ferns in autumn. Better 
plant the last of July than after the first of Septem¬ 
ber. It seems important that with a new root- 
growth must come a corresponding growth of 
fronds, and after September 1 not many fronds will 
come, but any time before the middle of August, 
Ferns with full-sized fronds may be taken up, the 
fronds cut back to the root and set, and if kept 
watered a new growth of fronds will come, and by 
winter the Fern is well established. I have set 
established Ferns—such as had been grown a sea¬ 
son in the nursery —in autumn and had most of 
them live. If setting is done in autumn, 1 advise 
covering well with leaves and brush. 
