WAKE ROBIN FARM 
neutral. The earliest fern of all, coming up with the 
spring flowers. The fresh fronds are slender, finely cut, 
and a bright emerald green. 25c each; $2.50 for 12. 
Christmas Fern (Polystichum acrostichoides). Shining, 
dark green fronds, 5 to 20 inches long, with ladder- 
like pinne, or leaflets. The pinne are half-dagger- 
shaped, with a spur on one side near the stem. It is 
called “Dagger Fern” by the florist trade. It is so popu- 
lar for Christmas and cut-flower use that extermination 
is threatened. Favors rocky woods, deep soil, ample 
shade and good watering. Crowns should be planted 
even with the surface of the ground. 35c each; $3.50 
for 12. 
Common Woodfern; Evergreen Lace Fern (Thelypteris 
intermedia). This is the “Fancy Fern” of the florist 
trade. It is valued for the keeping qualities of its ever- 
green fronds and in some states it is cut for market in 
huge quantities. Prized for decoration because of the 
finely cut, crowded leaflets of the fronds, giving such a 
lacey effect that “Evergreen Lace Fern” has been pro- 
posed as a better name. Moist, shady slopes provide 
the best habitat. The root is short and stout, with 
crown above the surface. 35c¢ each; $3.50 for 12. 
Hay - Scented Fern (Dennstedtia punctilobula). This 
feathery, light green fern, reaches a height of about 2 
feet, spreading vigorously by runners. Easily cultivated, 
mixes well with other ferns and grows sturdily in rocky 
uplands. Indifferent to soil, moisture and exposure, and 
forms dense clumps. The fronds may be cut freely for 
decoration, giving exquisite lacey effects. Useful in 
places where few other plants survive, and of course a 
natural for the rockery. 30c each; $3.00 for 12. 
Interrupted Fern (Osmunda claytoniana). A favorite fern 
for outdoor cultivation and most suitable for porch and 
foundation planting. Superbly graceful in bearing and 
individual in symmetrical form. At its best when al- 
lowed space for the outer, sterile fronds to arch away. 
Gets its name from the interruption by the small spore 
bearing pinne or leaflets at the middle of the erect, 
central, fertile fronds. These pinne, after fruiting, turn 
from dark green to brown and shrivel down, breaking 
continuity of the frond outline. The outer fronds are 
light green, with a bluish overtone. Height about 3 
feet. Growing conditions widely varied, with trends to- 
ward rocky banks, thin shale, rich soil or hilly woods, 
under trees, in hollows and ravines, and in fields dotted 
with thickets. Survives in moderately moist ground, 
likes to look at water and live near swamps and ponds, 
but it will not tolerate soaking wet feet. The roots be- 
come thickened and clubby, as each new crown adds to 
its length. Crowns planted about even with the ground 
surface. 40c each; $4.00 for 12. 
Leather Woodfern; Evergreen Woodfern; Marginal 
Woodfern (Thelypteris marginalis; formerly Dryopteris 
marginalis and Aspidum marginale). It is leathery; 
it is evergreen; it has fat, round fruit dots close to 
the margins of the frond pinnules; all of which ac 
counts for the names collected by this handsome thing. 
It has also been called Marginal Shield Fern. Leathery 
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