36 
FrecTk H. Horsford, Charlotte, Vermont 
Unfolding fronds of the Osmundas. 
Hardy Ferns 
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 inordinary soils and situations. But with this comparative few, which are quite hardy 
so far as cold weather is concerned, we have enough to make a very good showing. Ferns as a rule do well 
in shade, and for filling places where grass and other things can’t be grown they are invaluable. It is nec¬ 
essary to give them a good, dark soil, say a mixture of sand, leaf-mold and turf loam, and also to have the 
soil moist about their roots, with perfect 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 themselves 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 0 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 season in the nursery—in autumn and had most of them live. If setting is done in autumn, 
I advise covering well with leaves and brush. 
ADIANTUM pedatum. Maidenhair Fern. One of 
the most popular species of hardy sorts. It 
makes a good pot-plant, and is at home in 
almost any good garden soil where sufficient 
moisture is near, and drainage as well. It grows 
naturally in shade and also in the sun. The 
picture on page 37 shows the airy poise of the 
Fern, and delicate frond texture. N., 15 cts. 
each, $1.10 per doz.; P., 18c. each, $1.40 per doz. 
iV. 'preceding the prices indicates 
ASPLENIUM angustifolium. Spleenwort. A fine, 
tall Spleenwort, growing in moist ravines, and 
often 3 feet high. Needs shade and a moist, 
rich soil. N., 12 cts. each, $1.25 per doz.; P., 
15 cts. each, $1.50 per doz. 
A. platyneuron (A. ebeneum). Usually 9 to 15 
inches high when fairly established. A fine lit¬ 
tle Fern, with narrow evergreen fronds, found 
on rocky soil. N., 10 cts. each ; P., 12 cts. each. 
not prepaid: P. indicates prepaid. 
