pans, are attractive for their shades of green, gray, white and silver,
and compact growth.

THE SWORD FERNS

The old widely popular sword fern was _Nephrolepis exaltata_, but the
original form has been almost entirely replaced by new varieties
developed from it, the most widely known of which is the Boston fern
(_N. ex. var. Bostoniensis_). The wide popularity of this fern is due to
both its beauty and its hardiness, as it will stand more ill usage than
any other house fern. It grows rapidly and makes a handsome plant at
all stages of development.

THE SCOTT FERN

A well grown large Boston fern requires a good deal of room, and the
long fronds--three feet or more in length--are apt to get damaged at the
ends. For these reasons the _Scottii_ fern, a development of the Boston,
is for some purposes a better plant. Its fronds are like those of the
latter, but shorter and proportionately narrower, and the habit of the
plant is much more dense and compact. It makes a very satisfactory
plant.

THE PLUMED TYPE

Another fern developed from the Boston is _Whitmani_, in which the
fronds are not so long but the foliage is so finely divided that it
gives a decided plumey effect. The _Whitmani_ is perhaps the best of
this type for house culture as the others, under adverse conditions, are
likely to revert to the Boston type of frond. _Piersoni_ and
_Elegantissima_ are exceptionally beautiful, but must be given careful
attention. _Scholzeli_, sometimes called the Crested Scott fern, is very
beautiful and well worth trying.

THE MAIDENHAIRS

Of the beautiful, but delicate, adiantums perhaps the one most
frequently seen in the florist's window is _A. Farleyense_, with its
drooping, lace-like, light green leaves. It is not, however, suited for
house culture and while it can be made to succeed, do not waste time in
trying it until you have mastered the growing of the hardier sorts.

However, just because _Farleyense_ is so delicate, do not feel that you
cannot have any maidenhair fern. _Croweanum_ is another beautiful
adiantum, and as its fronds are much firmer than those of most of this
class, it withstands the trying conditions of house culture very
satisfactorily. Another maidenhair, often called the hardy
_Farleyense_, is _Adiantum c. v. imbricatum_. As its name suggests, it
looks very much like the Farley fern, but it is suitable for house
culture. It is a very satisfactory fern. And just recently there is
ano