NOVELTIES AND SPECIALTIES 
5 
AS EXHIBITED BY A. W. MANDA AT NATIONAL FLOWER SHOW, CHICAGO, 
The sensational plant of the First National Flower Show, where it captured the first 
prize, a Silver Medal, as the Best New Fern not in commerce, and also the Grand Gold 
Medal for the best plant not yet an article of commerce, with the group as per above 
illustrations. Mr. John Thorpe, the veteran plantsman, states in the Christmas number 
of “Florists’ Exchange” as follows: “I will say that the most valuable plant, the most pro¬ 
gressive plant, the plant which has gained the gold medal, is Polypodium Mandaianum, 
and I have no hesitation in saying there will be as many forms of it as in the case of 
Nephrolepis exaltata. Fortunately all the Polypodium family are good keepers under ad¬ 
verse circumstances. They will live where palms will not. For temporary decorations 
with cut flowers the polypodium will last as long as any of the asparagus. None of 
the polypodium are an exception to this rule. From a decorative standpoint the con¬ 
figuration of the plant, its adaptability, it is equal to any plant ever introduced.” 
FROM “THE JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND HOME FARMER,” 
LONDON, ENGLAND, MAY 30, 1912. 
“The exhibit of foliage plants by W. A. Manda, the American exhibitor from South 
Orange, U. S. A., deserves mention, particularly for his fern Polypodium Mandaianum, 
with fronds 5 feet long and 20 inches broad, the pinnae finely cut. This was shown upon 
wood rafts, and also towering above the stem of a tree fern. The fronds, when cut, remain 
fresh for several weeks. He also had Orchids, Crotons, etc., winning prizes for six stove 
and greenhouse subjects (first), twelve stove and greenhouse subjects (third), one speci¬ 
men stove plant (third), one Croton (first), twelve Dracaenas (first), twelve bunches of 
Anthurium spathes (first), two Cycads (first), six palms, distinct, and two Kentias (first 
in each case); also winner for six specimen Orchids and one specimen Orchid. A very 
excellent record.” 
FIRST-CLASS CERTIFICATE TO POLYPODIUM MANDAIANUM. 
FROM “THE FLORISTS’ EXCHANGE,” July 6, 1912. 
“On July 2, a cable received from W. A. Manda’s representative in England, Mr. F. 
Mouncey, which stated that Polypodium Mandaianum had been awarded a first-class 
certificate at the Holland show; this is the highest award which can be given to any 
novelty and, therefore, an additional triumph for both the plant and the United States.” 
Polypodium Mandaianum, in 8-inch Pan; Plant 4 Feet Wide 
(See Page 3) 
