HOME, PENNSYLVANIA 
plenty of loose stones in the soil. Rich, rocky woods; 
rock slopes; under shady cliffs; between buttressed 
roots of big trees; in clefts and recesses of moist hill- 
sides. Grows to about 2 feet and shows off well with 
Hepaticas, Trilliums, Jacks and Lady’s Slippers, es- 
pecially if massed under tall coniferous trees. Large 
chaffy crown bulges an inch or two above ground, 
unfolding symmetrical fronds with shaggy stalks. 25c 
each. 
Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum pedatum). Unlike any other 
fern, the American Maidenhair is distinguished by 
tressy softness of the spreading frond at the top of 
very slender, polished, mahogany stem. Difficult to 
describe with precision; authorities resort to “delicate 
and dainty form and texture; singular and conspic- 
uous grace.” Found in slight hollows of moist, rich, 
hilly woods, under non-acid deciduous trees, as maples, 
birches and beeches, not oaks or conifers. Should be 
planted near the house with an eye to its needs, in- 
cluding shallow planting (1 inch of soil), ample shade, 
and constant mulch of proper leaf mold and its own 
fronds. The black roots are wiry and creeping, often 
at the wery surface of the soil, protected by rotting 
leaves. Roots produce fresh fronds continuously, which 
grow from 1 to 1!/% feet high. 25c each. 
New York Fern (Thelypteris noveboracensis). So dif- 
ferent, with its plumy fronds, tapering below, like 
no other fern, with gradually vanishing pinne, the dis- 
tinctive name “Taper Fern,” has been proposed. Med- 
jum size, 8 to 15 inches high, found in dry, cool, 
shaded woods. A fast spreading ground cover, with 
slender roots creeping just below the surface. Roots 
give off tufted fronds at frequent intervals, adding 
up to a scattered mass of yellow-green. In two or 
three years a half-dozen plants make a large colony. 
New York Fern appreciates mulch from leaves of de- 
ciduous trees, like beeches, birches and maptes. 25c 
each. 
Rattlesnake Fern (Botrychium virginianum). Totally un- 
like the true ferns, this member of the Adder’s Tongue 
Family is a fern ally. The succulent frond rises from 
a fleshy root, spreading in a horizontal triangle of 
leaves. The main stem continues in a fruiting stalk, 
which carries spore cases in a terminal cluster, well 
above the sterile, horizontal leaves. Height is from 
4 to 10 inches. Grows in many conditions; is best 
planted deeply in rich moist mold, preferably in 
dense deciduous woods, and in groups. The large. 
triangular, finely cut green blades are unique. 25c each. 
Sensitive Fern (Onoclea sensibilis). A sturdy fern of low 
thickets and moist, open places, with sterile fronds of 
vivid, yellowish green, and with deeply cut, finger- 
like divisions, which give an exaggerated oak leaf 
shape. The fruiting frond is erect, hard, and thick- 
ened with plump, tight lobes, which turn brown after 
fruiting, and survive the winter. From 8 to 16 inches 
high, the fronds form continuously all summer. The 
ae: 
