F ERNS. 
It is pleasing to note the change that is constantly 
going on in the selection of plants for the conservatory, 
the parlor window, and for out-of-door decoration. 
Kot long since, plants remarkable for their large and 
brilliant flowers were the ones most sought for general 
purposes of cultivation. The fortunate possessor of the 
largest Pa?ouies, the most showy Dahlias, the tallest 
Hollyhocks, and the gayest Poppies was the one most 
envied among the cottage gardeners. Later the Lily-of- 
the-valley, the Mignonette, the Forget-me-not. and 
kindred plants became indispensable for the flower- 
garden. This showed a decided advancement in raste. 
As we become better acquainted with plants their 
value increases, and we begin to appreciate them for 
what they are, and not for their external grandeur or 
show. Flowering plants, so called, are still the ones 
most sought after for garden or parlor decoration. At 
the same time plants are highly esteemed for the beauty 
where plants can be grown, either in the stove-house or 
open garden, or any intermediate position, there can be 
found Ferns that are admirably adapted. Nothing that 
has occurred in relation to gardening indicates so clearly 
the great improvement in public taste that has taken 
place within the last quarter of a century as the appre¬ 
ciation of elegance of form manifested by the all but 
universal demand for Ferns. And this is not greatly to 
be wondered at. as Ferns possess an elegance and grace¬ 
fulness of form not to be found in any other plant. Wo 
only propose, at this time, to notice but one gonera of 
this noble family of plants, and of this but a few of the 
many species that comprise the genus, viz.: 
THE ADIANTUM, 
or Maiden-hair Fern. Of this extensive and much ad¬ 
mired genus, this country furnishes but three species. 
A.pedatum, our common Maiden-liair,which is found in 
Adiastum Bacsei. 
of their foliage, not only for their varied and richly- 
colored leaves, that are now found in every variety of 
form, but also for their delicate and graceful forms. 
Conspicuous in the latter class are the Ferns, of which 
there are thousands of species found in every portion of 
the habitable part of the globe, adapting themselves to 
every soil, climate and situation. In every position 
moist woods from the Carolinas, north and west, is the 
only species found east of the Rock Mountains. This 
species will not succeed in the window-garden or con¬ 
servatory, as it requires rest at the time Ferns are 
wanted in the house. If taken up in early spring and 
transplanted into shaded corners of our gardens it 
grows readily, and is indispensable in the natural £U- 
