HUGH B. BARCLAY, Narberth, Pa. 17 

FERNS—Continued 
North). It increases by underground stolons, so that 
small plants, placed a foot apart, will make a thick 
mass. A light fine mulch is beneficial. 
DRYOPTERIS cristata (Aspidium cristatum). Crested 
Woodfern. Native. An evergreen Fern with glossy 
light green fronds about 15 inches high. It likes light, 
moist soil and is suited to dense shade. 
D. marginalis. Leather Woodfern. Native. An evergreen 
Fern with a distinct stem and cut fronds somewhat 
resembling other deciduous woodland Ferns. Grows 
about 1!/, feet from strong crowns, not creeping. A 
fine Fern for masses in open woodland or heavier 
shade. Good garden soil. 
OSMUNDA cinnamomea. Cinnamon Fern. 2 to 4 feet. 
Native. A large deciduous Fern, sending up its fronds 
from a strong crown. Called the Cinnamon Fern 
from the color of the fruiting stem which rises in the 
center of the frond group. Likes fairly moist soil. Best 
of the Osmundas for deep shade. Will grow in full 
sun and is often planted about homes as specimens, 
or in small groups. Garden soil. 
O. Claytoniana. Interrupted Fern. Native. Similar to 
the preceding in growth and appearance, except that 
the spore-bearing pinnae, instead of being located on 
a separate stem, are borne on the middle of some of 
the fronds. The name Interrupted Fern comes from 
this break in the form of the frond. Grows in some- 
what drier places than the Cinnamon Fern. Garden 
soil. 
O. regalis. Royal Fern. Native. Taller than the two pre- 
ceding Osmundas, reaching to 6 feet. Very distinct, 
with the fronds truly bipinnate, giving the appearance 
of black locust foliage. It requires a really moist soil— 
preferring swamps—and considerable sunlight. Gar- 
den soil. 
POLYPODIUM vulgare. Polypody. Native. A low ever- 
green Fern, 2 to 6 inches high, with creeping roots, 
forming mats of foliage about rocks and on banks 
where falling leaves do not remain to smother. Gen- 
erally found in shaded positions, but grows well in 
full sun. Suited to rockeries in good garden soil. 
POLYSTICHUM (Aspidium) acrostichoides. Christmas 
Fern. An evergreen Fern, dark green in color. This 
Fern sends its fronds up from a central crown and 
does not increase by creeping roots, so any planting 
must be thick enough to accomplish the effect desired. 
It dislikes the winter sun and, where possible, should 
be given a northern exposure. Should not receive a 
mulch of leaves. Grows best in good, fairly heavy 
garden soil. Fine for shaded banks or woodland 
ground-cover. A good base for the trillium and other 
woodland bulbs. 
PTERIDIUM aquilinum (Pteris aquilina). Bracken. 2 to 
4, feet. Triangular large fronds, spreading out flatly 
from the top of a slender, tough stem. Root-creeping, 
easily injured in transplanting. Good for open wood- 
land masses, woodland borders, or use in full sun. 
In rich, loose, drained soil in the open it forms mag- 
nificent groups to 5 feet. 
Collected clumps— 
$2.00 for 10; $15.00 per 100; $120.00 per 1000 
Add 20 per cent if nursery-grown Ferns are desired. 
Varieties marked @ are Rock-Garden Plants. 
