Goer
tat se A

LIBRARY

Department of Floriculture

and Ornamental Horticulture

NEW YorK STATE COLLEGE
of AGRICULTURE

at CORNELL UNIVERSITY
ITHACA, N.Y.

Gift of

Date

Fern growing.Fifty years’ experience in

Cornell University

The original of this book is in
the Cornell University Library.

There are no known copyright restrictions in
the United States on the use of the text.

http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924000634455

FERN GROWING

E, J. LOWE, F.RS.

FERN GROWING

FIFTY YEARS’ EXPERIENCE
IN CROSSING AND
CULTIVATION

WITH A LIST OF THE MOST IMPORTANT VARIETIES
AND A HISTORY OF THE DISCOVERY OF
MULTIPLE PARENTAGE, Etc.

BY

By *SOWE, F.RS., F.L.S., Erc.

AUTHOR OF

“OUR NATIVE FERNS,” ‘‘ BRITISH AND EXOTIC FERNS”
ETC, ETC.

WITH SIXTY-TWO ILLUSTRATIONS

NEW YORK

TRUSLOVE @&@ COMBA
LONDON: JOHN C. NIMMO
MDCCCXECVIII

Printed by BALLANTYNE, HANSON & Co.
At the Ballantyne Press

Dedication

Dear Mr. Moly,

It ts with a sense of gratification, heightened by the
consciousness of fitness and duty, that I have dedicated to you this
record of observations and experiments in a department of inquiry to
which you have so largely contributed, and in the prosecution of which
you have so often assisted.

A number of experiments at first confined to the investigation
of the crossing of Ferns, has gradually resulted in the establishment
of an ordered series of facts materially affecting our conceptions of
Pteridology.

At a time when the first disclosure of these facts was received
with general incredulity, [ was encouraged to persevere in my
inquiries by the diligent co-operation of our able friends Colonel
Jones, Abraham Clapham, Major Cowburn, and Edwin Fox. These,
alas! have all passed away; but to you, as to one whose assistance
has been as continuous as your discovertes have been invaluable, it
is still permutted me to render this tribute of esteem.

To one who has devoted his life to the enrichment of our know-
ledge of English Ferns, the dedication of this record of the results
of fifty years’ labour in the investigation of the mysteries of Crypto-

gamuic parentage seems to me to be most due.

Belteve me,

Yours very sincerely,

E. J. LOWE.

PREFACE

T may be profitable to describe what the author has been

able to achieve in an experience dating back to 1842, not
only in crossing Ferns, but in his experiments in the hybridi-
sation of other plants. These embrace the Fuchsia, Pansy,
Cactus, Dahlia, Aquilegia, Centaurea, Camelia, Primrose, Oxlip,
Narcissus, Mimulus, Chrysanthemum, Currant, Rhubarb, &c.

The small-leaved Fuchsias were crossed with Fuchsza fulgens,
and a hybrid obtained, named Polyhymnza, which has a small
leaf of the pale colour of fudgens, and a long tubular flower with
a large corolla also of the same colour as fudgens (the pollen
of this would never cross with another Fuchsia). By using
both Fuchsias as seed-bearers, it was apparent that the habit
and form of leaf copied the seed-bearer, and the flower that
of the male.

In Pansies the endeavour was to improve the form and size
of the flower, and to obtain a more robust constitution, also
to raise a Blue Pansy, which was then a desideratum ; a Blue
Pansy was raised (the first year), and is known by the name
of /mperial Blue. Twenty-four seedling pansies competed with
seven other exhibits at the Royal Botanic Society, and they
won the First Prize and the Silver Medal against all the
named well-known varieties of the other exhibitors.

With the Cactus, a scarlet was crossed with a white one;

there are a number of seedlings, but they have not yet bloomed.

vii

vlil PREFACE

From the Dahlia crosses have resulted the new single
Cactus, and other forms with lily-like petals.

The Aquilegia has been crossed with a Clematis, and
Clematis-like flowers have been produced.

Centaurea montana crossed with other species has given
a few plants with distinct, much larger flowers, and with many
more petals, than Cex¢aurea montana, which was the seed-bearer.
The cross of the Centaurea produced only one or two seeds
on the flower-head, instead of the usual sixteen to eighteen ;
whilst that of the Aquilegia had from six to ten seeds, instead
of about one hundred and twenty. Two species of Aquilegia
that were crossed, produced a scarlet flower that had nearly
a hundred blooms; these were all crossed with pollen from
the parent plant, but they did not yield a single seed.

From crossing the Camelia has resulted a double white
flower of only two inches in diameter.

From the Primrose have originated that breed known
as the Hybrid Polyanthus, which is so well appreciated ; whilst
from the Oxlip are obtained a number of interesting varieties.

Narcissus boeticus crossed with Empress, Mrs, J. B. M.
Camm, and other varieties, has not yet bloomed.

From the Mimulus crosses there is a hybrid with the
Antirrhinum.

Chrysanthemum atratum crossed with the large Field
Daisy have produced several good forms.

The crosses with Red Currants have given some very
fine varieties; and the Champagne Rhubarb, impregnated
with Victoria, has yielded several varieties that are considered
of superior flavour.

The most laborious work, however, has been in raising
varieties of Ferns, in order to disprove the assertion that

PREFACE ix

Ferns could not be crossed. In doing this, many other facts
have been discovered, culminating in multiple parentage, the
discussion and authentication of which is the object of the
present volume.

In giving a history of the marvels of Fern-life and of the
new discoveries, I think it will be of interest to Fern cultivators
to have connected with this work short memoirs of those who
assisted in those discoveries. These labours date back to the
time when the crossing of Ferns was discredited, for although
described to the British Association as early as 1867, it was
not an acknowledged fact until a dozen years ago.

It is only an act of justice to include this help, and in doing
so the author cannot forget the great assistance rendered by
Professor Morris of Bath in the preparation of this work.

SHIRENEWTON HALL,
february 1895. ,

CONTENTS

FERN GROWING . F : ; : ; : I
VARIETIES OF BRITISH FERNS. 5 : 50
DETAILS OF EXPERIMENTS . j 73
DEDUCTIONS AND PracticaL HInTs . » 135
Memoirs OF FERN HyBrIDISERS—
CoLoneL A. M. JonEs ; 172
E. F. Fox. : ; : 5 : 177
Major T. B. Cowsurn : : . 180
A. CLAPHAM . : 4 3 4 182
J. E. MapprLeBeck ; é ‘ . . : . 184
E. J. Lowe . , ‘ ‘ . 187
SPECIES OF BRITISH FERNS . A F : F ! . 188
INDEX . 7 ; ; : ; . 190

LIST OF PLATES

PORTRAIT OF THE AUTHOR. Lugraved on copper by E. STODART
Frontispiece

VARIEGATED VARIETIES OF SCOLOPENDRIUM VULGARE—MRs. Cow-
BURN, ADDIE, VIVA (coloured plate) . . : To face page 96

PORTRAITS OF FERN HYBRIDISERS—E. F. Fox, Major COWBURN,
COLONEL JONES, A. CLAPHAM, J. E. MAPPLEBECK (photo-etched
plate) . . : : : , : : : . 176

AND FIFTY-NINE ENGRAVINGS IN THE TEXT.

xi

FERN GROWING

HE experience of fifty-three years’ diligent research has

made the British Ferns a matter of everyday life with
the author. It is impossible to watch each of the changes
from the infant to the fully grown frond life of a Fern (not once,
but a hundred times, and not of one species, but of nearly all
the British species), without observing something new, some
peculiarities that seem to upset all our preconceived notions,
peculiarities requiring a careful watch, and the repetition over
and over again of various experiments. When this has been
done for a number of years and with similar results, and not
without every precaution being taken in order to thoroughly
test the accuracies of these discoveries, at first as regards the
possibility of crossing Ferns, which formerly was considered
by botanists as an impossibility; then as to the possibility
of dividing the prothallus, and of so dividing as to secure the
sexes on different divisions; and further, as to the ability of
growing any one of these divisions for seven years in the pro-
thalloid condition, and afterwards, at the will of the experi-
menter, causing it to put forth, fronds; and lastly, the ability to
cause any three or four varieties to impregnate at the same
time one of these divisions, and produce varieties showing all
their characters blended on one and the same frond—these are
facts of such significance that the experimenter is desirous of

recording what he has done, and of describing the details.
A

2 FERN GROWING

When once we can find a departure from the normal
form, no matter in what species, it is comparatively easy to
multiply variations. There are very many more English
varieties of the different species than have been hitherto
found abroad, and the reason of this seems to be owing to
the extensive crossing of varieties that has been going on in
the country for a number of years. Two cases may be
quoted.

The late Mrs. Grant, of Hillersdon, near Cullompton, in
Devonshire, grew Ferns extensively into large specimens,
and above her Fernery was a gravel walk on a terrace, which
was edged with the usual dwarf box, amongst which were to
be found many seedling varieties of the Hart’s-tongue Fern
that had been naturally crossed and produced distinct forms,
all of them originating from plants in her Fernery. Formerly,
when raising new varieties by crossing was almost unknown,
and scarcely believed in, our best British Fern cultivators
only raised Fern spores to obtain duplicates of any desired
variety. Amongst those who extensively raised Ferns from
spores were the Rey. C. Padley, of Bulwell Hall; Mr. J.
Henderson, of Wentworth; Mr. A. Clapham, of Scarborough ;
Mr. J. M. Barnes, of Milnthorpe; Mr. Stansfield, of Todmorden;
Mr. T. Moore, of the Chelsea Botanic Gardens; Mr. W.
Willison, of Whitby; Mr. R. Sim, of Foots Cray; Mr.
Elworthy, of Nettlecombe ; Mr. Joseph Sidebotham, of Bowdon;
Mr. C. Glave, of Scarborough; Mr. Riley, of Papplewick ;
the Rev. F. Mules, of Marwood ; and Mr. J. James, of Vauvert :
all have now passed away. Each sowed spores separately
(except Mr. Clapham, who, after a few years, began to sow
several varieties together, in order to economise space); they
consequently raised but few variations from the spores sown.
These Fern authorities diligently hunted the country for new
‘ wild varieties. The author had been raising a large number
of forms from crossing before Mr. Clapham would entertain

FERN GROWING 3

the idea that there was any good end to be attained; and Mr.
Mapplebeck, of Bronddwynant, Dolgelly ; Mr. Fox, of Brisling-
ton; and Colonel Jones, of Clifton, were the first three to
follow the author's example, which they all did with marked
success. The late Dr. Lyall, of Newburgh; Messrs. Sang,
of Kirkcaldy; Mr. Druery, of Fernholme; Mr. Phillips, of
Belfast ; Messrs. Stansfield, of Sale; the late Major Cowburn,
of Dennel Hill, and others took to multiple sowing a few years
ago. There was great promise in what Major Cowburn did ;
the care, attention, and ability which was so characteristic
of him bore a plentiful harvest; but, alas! death suddenly
ended this brief but brilliant career. Amongst those who
devoted themselves to what has been termed Fern-hunting,
z.€., a search in order to discover new wild varieties, none
have been so successful as Mr. James Moly, of Langmoor,
near Charmouth; Mr. Wills, of Thornscombe; the Rev.
Charles Padley, of Bulwell Hall, Nottinghamshire; Mr. James,
of Vauvert, Guernsey ; Mr. G. B. Wollaston, of Bishops Well,
Chislehurst; Mr. J. M. Barnes, of Levens, Milnthorpe; Mr.
Clapham, Scarborough; Mr. W. B. Boyd, Midlothian; Mr. :
G. Whitwell, Kendal; Mr. T. Airey; Mr. and Mrs. Hodgson,
of Ulverston; Mr. W. H. Phillips, of Belfast; Mr. R. Lloyd
Praeger, of Holywood; and last, though not least, Mr. Forster,
of Salford.

In former days there were not gangs of Fern robbers
whose everyday business was to practically destroy in any
locality what they could find. Twenty-five years ago there
were many acres of woods at Hackness, near Scarborough,
crowded with Nephrodium emulum, and now it is difficult
to find a plant; the Glastonbury district of Osmunda regalzs
is being rapidly destroyed; even the Ben Lawers habitat of
the Holly Fern has been invaded by these marauders. Ferns
are regularly hawked about the streets of our towns by men
and even women who are denuding the country of its Ferns.

4 FERN GROWING

The occupation of the Fern-hunter who is diligently seeking
for abnormal varieties must not be confounded with that of
those marauders whose indiscriminate ravage too often results
in the annihilating of whole species in the districts they afflict.
The former usually finds only solitary plants, and these, if left
where found, would after a time perish and the variety be-
come lost; for if they scatter spores in their wild habitat, those
of the commoner species choke them out; whilst if removed
to a place of safety and carefully tended, offspring are raised,
and the new variety is made to adorn many Ferneries.
Take as example Athyrium Filix-femina var. Victoria, or
Nephrodium paleaceum var. cristatum. Only single plants of
each were found, but these have been propagated to such an
extent that both are now to be seen in all good collections ;
but it is not only the saving of these varieties, it is being
enabled to cross them, and so raise a large number of inter-
esting intermediate forms, some of which are equally beautiful.
The Fern destroyer is annihilating the different species, whilst
the man who hunts for new varieties is endeavouring to
multiply his choice finds. But names as well as species dis-
appear, and it is necessary to say a few words in explanation.
In “ Our Native Ferns” we have 4 Wosorus crispus, the name
of which has now been changed to Cryptogramme crispa. Mr.
Thomas Moore, in his ‘ Nature-Printed British Ferns,” was
half inclined to follow Sir W. J. Hooker, who in his ‘“‘ Species
Filicum” adopted Cryptogramme crispa, as did Fee in his
“Genera Filicum.” Moore says, “ Perhaps it should be united
to Cryptogramme,” adding, “in habit and aspect they are
quite alike.” The Cryptogramme have the sori to some extent
a near copy of that of Gymnogramme, whilst in AUosorus,
Mettenius pointed out, they were punctiform; but they both
become laterally confluent, and are then alike. Moore
thought that the reflexed marginate indusium which resembles
Pteris, was overbalanced by the punctiform receptacles; but

FERN GROWING 5

Sir W. J. Hooker has thought otherwise, the author thinks
correctly.

In “Our Native Ferns,” Lomaria Spicant was adopted in
preference to Blechnum Spicant, although Moore, and more
recently Druery, have placed this Fern amongst the Béech-
nums. The sori in Lomarza are marginal, whilst in Blech-
num they are inter-marginal; but we have in Lomaria con-
tracted fertile fronds, ze., distinct from the B/lechnum, which
has only one kind of frond. The spreading or prostrate sterile
fronds and the erect fertile ones are a marked feature, so much
so that it seems preferable to follow Desvaux, Presl, Link,
Hooker, Fee, and others in considering our British species
Lomarta, to following an equal number of botanists who have
included it amongst Blechnum.

With regard to the Asplentum Ceterach, which in “ Our
Native Ferns” the author had followed Moore in calling Ceée-
rach offictnarum, even Mr. Moore considered there was a
very near relationship to Asplenium, though differing in the
indusium being obsolete, or only represented by a narrow
membranous ridge. In the extra-developed fronds of some
of the varieties found in County Clare, there is a very close
approach to the indusium of Asplenzum, and therefore the
original name of Lzxxeus has now been adopted.

Asplenium Filix-femina has been variously placed by our
best botanists. Roth, Presl, Fee, Babington, and Bory con-
sidered it an Athyrium, Bernhardt, Sprengel, R. Brown,
Koch, Hooker, Bentham, Kunze, Mettenius, Milde, and
Link, an Asplentum; Linnzeus, Bolton, Weis, Hoffmann, and
Bory, a Polypodium ; Swartz, Schkuhr, Weber, Mohr, Will-
denow, and Smith, an Aspzdium. The sorus of Asplentum is
linear ; in Az¢hyrium it is shorter and curved, though varying
and approaching that of Asplentum. To me the deciduous
character of the fronds, their greater size, and more deltoid
character are greater differences than that of the sori; but if we

6 FERN GROWING

examine a number of plants of other countries, we obtain a
gradation that reduces Athyrium to a subsection of Aspléntum.

The English Polystzchums are also placed as a subsection
of Asfidium, retaining, with Moore, the three species, Lonchztzs
aculeatum, and angulare, in preference to uniting the two latter.

When two species have been crossed, the progeny has
invariably been more or less sterile: there is, however, no such
thing as complete sterility; when the offspring is confined
to one or two, sterility must be more marked than when
dealing with species where the offspring would be in thousands.
We shall return on a future page to this subject; it is only
essential at the present time to state that in crossing sfz-
dium angulare with Asprdium aculeatum there is found to be
so near an approach to sterility as to warrant us in saying
that 4. aculeatum and A. angulare are distinct species. The
difference between species and varieties is evidenced by the
difficulty of crossing between individuals the first together ;
whereas with the latter there is no difficulty.

As regards the British JZastreas being placed as a
subsection of Mephrodium, it seems that the peculiarities are
too slight to make Lastrea and Nephrodium into two distinct
families; adopting Lastvea as a subsection is as far as we
can go.

With respect to WV. Frlzx-mas, however, there can be no
‘doubt that Wollaston was correct in dividing this Fern into
three species; it is as difficult to cross any of these three
together as it is with that of any other two species.

Wollaston gave the names of Filix-mas, pseudo-mas, and
propingua, the first deciduous, the second sub-evergreen, and
the third a mountain species. Wollaston’s names, however,
have not been retained, as his pseudo-mas is Nephrodium
paleaceum, t.¢., the Aspidium paleaceum of Don, whilst his
propingua is the Aspidium abbreviatum of Poiret; the older
names have therefore been adopted. Still our thanks are

FERN GROWING 7

due to the keen eye and sound judgment of Wollaston for
having shown us their distinctive characters.

These are the only changes that have been made, and
in order that no confusion may result to those to whom
the old names have become familiar, they have each been
headed with the name of the subsection.

In arranging the different varieties in classes, it must be
remembered that by wild finds, or by crossing two varieties,
we must obtain forms that have characters midway between
two classes. As example, taking the Lady Fern, if by crossing
the lax uncum with cructatum we obtain a variety that is a
cruciate wncum, or if we cross corymbiferum with cructatum,
we obtain a cruczatum with crested tips to the pinne, it will
be apparent that in the first example the variety may be
with equal propriety placed in the class cruczatum or in uncum,
and in the latter either in corymbiferum or uncum. It seems,
however, more natural that a crested Fern should be classed
with crested Ferns, no matter how nearly it copies another
class, and that a cruciate Fern should in like manner be
placed amongst the cruciate Ferns; and if we do not drawa
hard and fast line such Ferns would take an unnecessary
amount of time in hunting them in several classes. It is
therefore to be understood that all Ferns that are ramose
will be placed under vamosum (or branched Ferns), all crested
Ferns under the section for crested Ferns, all capitate (those
having a terminal head broader than the frond) in the
grandiceps class, and all that are cruciate, even the when
characters are. those of two or three parents, will be found
amongst the cvuctatums. An exception to this rule will be
those that are variegated, for it is obvious that there may be
variegated Ferns in any of the classes, and it would be doing
away with a very distinctive class if they were otherwise
arranged; whilst a second exception, which is almost a con-
tradiction to what has just been said, will be where in the

8 FERN GROWING

two characters one is much more pronounced than the other.
Multiple parentage very materially increases this difficulty,
especially where the three or four characters are almost
equally balanced. However, in those cases it will be easier
to refer to two or three classes than to search throughout
the whole varieties, as would be the case if there were no
classification. This classification will, however, have but little
to do with the present volume.

Preliminarily it may be mentioned that the author has
never (in fifty years’ hunting) found two wild fertile varieties
exactly alike. Yet the spores from each variety will, if sown
alone, reproduce the variety, though not when two varieties
are sown thickly together.

Sterile Ferns of the crzspum form of Scolopendrium vulgare
are found in numbers together. They are not only found as a
cluster of plants mostly almost exactly alike in isolated places of
only a few yards in extent, but we have the experience of Colonel
Jones, who found twenty-nine near Shirenewton, not at the same
time, but in the course of over six years. Again, Major Cow-
burn discovered six on a wall at Dennel Hill, and each year
one or two more till he had found nineteen, and the gardener
tells the author that more are now growing on the same
wall. Colonel Jones’s crzspums are all broad, and growing
more or less horizontally, z.e., the fronds are pendent; but
Major Cowburn’s are all erect and cut on the margin. At
Wollaston, Gloucestershire, a cvzspum was found one hundred
years ago, and on the same spot last year Mr. E. Boyle
found others. Mr. Baldwyn found a dozen near Tintern,
Mr. Bull several near St. Pierre, and each locality has its
individuality. None of Colonel Jones’s twenty-nine have
ever shown any signs of spores. In all these isolated spots
there are plenty of common Scolopendriums, but it is doubt-
ful as to how these cvzspums are produced. The Dennel
Hill crzspums are occasionally sparingly sovzferous, and ad-

FERN GROWING 9

vantage has been taken of this to produce a number of
crossed varieties. Sterile Ferns will again be referred to.
There are two distinct Fern workers—the hunter after
wild finds, and the raiser of seedlings; among the former
there are those who care but little for varieties, and devote
their energies to the discovery of new habitats of species.
The late Professor Hutton Balfour used to say that he was
accustomed to treat Ferns as species, that he passed over
the varieties without caring to distinguish any varietal forms.
The author remembers some twenty years ago ascending Ben
Lawers with him, and whilst he was diligently hunting for
Woodsias he found on his hunting-ground no less than four-
teen very distinct varieties, chiefly of the mountain form of
Nephrodium spinulosum, and that he expressed surprise that
he had not recognised these departures from the normal form.
A good botanist recognises at once each species without any
very close examination, and it is this that causes varieties not
to be recognised, unless the form is a very distinct departure
from the ordinary type. The discoverers of varieties are
therefore a distinct class of observers, who have accustomed
themselves to this particular close examination, which has
produced many interesting results. Such abnormal varieties
as the crzspum form of the Scolopendrium and the Cam-
bricum form of the common Polypody were recognised
before the birth of the present century; but many other
equally remarkable varieties are modern discoveries, and this
is owing to a large increase in the number of those who
have devoted themselves to this particular branch of the
subject, whose search has been so thorough as to spread over
the length and breadth of the land, leaving very few localities
unexamined; as an example, Mr. James Moly remarks that
some years ago he rarely returned home without treasures,
but that now the same localities yield very few new varieties.
Some localities are much richer in abnormal forms than

IO FERN GROWING

others, and when we come across any of these we are rewarded
by the discovery of new varieties. The late Rev. Charles
Padley, who devoted many years of his life to this particular
branch of inquiry, found as many as fifty good varieties in
a single lane, and often a number that resembled each other
more or less; but the legion of itinerant Fern merchants was
then all but unknown. How different is it at the present
time, when you can scarcely ever take a drive without coming
across some of them laden with Ferns, which are hawked
about the towns. And unfortunately there are so many pur-
chasers that whole districts are denuded of Ferns; and, what
is still more unfortunate, a large percentage of these die, leaving
vacancies for further consignments.

Amongst those who were most successful in wild finds
a few years ago may be mentioned the late Rev. Charles
Padley, formerly of Bulwell Hall, in Nottinghamshire, and
more recently at Enville (where he died), as clergyman of
the parish, and chaplain to the late Earl of Stamford and
Warrington ; the late Mr. Clapham, of Scarborough ; the late
_ Mr. Barnes, of Levens, Milnthorpe, who did so much in the
English Lake district; the late Mr. J. James, of Vauvert, in
the Channel Islands; the late Mr. Wills, of Thorncombe ; the
late Colonel A. M. Jones, of Clifton; Mr. G. B. Wollaston,
of Bishops Well, Chislehurst; Mr. J. Moly, of Langmoor,
Charmouth (who has found nearly all of his treasures in
Devon and Dorset); Mr. W. H. Phillips, of Belfast; and a
number of those diligent hunters after Ferns who reside in the
English Lake district.

Those who have succeeded in raising new varieties from
spores are not so numerous; in fact, for some years there was
almost no confidence in the idea that Ferns could be crossed
like other plants. The author believes that he was the first
to set the ball rolling, for the late Professor Arthur Henfrey
sent him an account of the discoveries of Professor Nageli,

FERN GROWING ll

of Zurich, and of Count Leszazye-Suminski, of Berlin, of
the male and female organs of Ferns having been detected
on the under-side of the prothallus. This was of course
during the prothalloid life of the Fern; for on the discovery
by Dr. Lindsay of the prothallium, rather more than a
hundred years ago, it was shown that Ferns had two distinct
lives, the prothalloid, or caterpillar life, and the fronded, or
butterfly life, ze, the prothallus on being impregnated died
away, and the frond life sprang up, grew to maturity,
scattered its spores, which germinated into a prothallus, again
eventually to produce fronds. The author remembers the
idea that at once occurred to him, that it was thus possible,
even if difficult, to cross Ferns and produce new varieties.
The late Professor Edward Forbes, whom the author was
then assisting in the search for British Mollusca, urged him
to attempt the experiment; and it is also remembered the
disappointment felt when the late Mr. Thomas Moore, of
the Chelsea Botanic Gardens, assured him that it was an
impossible task; and further, the opinions of Mr. Clapham,
Mr. Padley, and others, all agreeing with the assertion of Mr.
Moore. Nevertheless Professor Forbes’s advice was taken,
and experiments commenced. The argument of some was
that, assuming it could be done, the operation was so micro-
scopical that it was almost useless for any one to attempt it,
and that, although nature might achieve this on one and the
same prothallus, it was quite impossible for the male organs
from one prothallus to impregnate another.

The author had faith that, if everything was done as
regards the first steps in the undertaking, further help might
be received in some unknown manner for the rest of the
process. If he could not imitate depositing the pollen of
flowers on the pistil, nevertheless he might sow spores so
thickly as to produce a crowd of prothalli, touching each
other, or being so near, that minute animal life (like the

12 FERN GROWING

impregnation of the flowers by bees) might assist in this
impregnation. Spores mixed together have been sown, year
after year, since 1851, and a large amount of crossed varieties
raised and grown to maturity. Botanists, notwithstanding this,
have been slow to acknowledge that these varieties had been
produced by crossing. Mr. Moore did acknowledge that he
saw the different varieties (the mingling of two forms), but
how it had been accomplished he was unable to say. “The
blood of each was apparent, but nevertheless it has not con-
vinced me,” says Mr. Moore, ‘as regards crossing by impreg-
nation.” Mr. Clapham, who had repeated these experiments,
and had raised some very distinct varieties, also would not
believe in crossing Ferns until he had seen a series of varieties
of Lady Ferns, having Vzctorze at the one extreme, and pro-
teum (a plant that he had found) at the other. On the strength
of his new conviction he sowed the spores of the plumose
Cornwall, Polypodium vulgare, known as trichomanotdes, with
a crested form (ézfdo cristatum), and from these spores he
raised a crested form of the variety ¢vzchomanozdes.

Mr. J. E. Mapplebeck, 1866,* Colonel Jones, 1870, Mr. E.
F. Fox, 1870, Mr. Craig, 1864, Mr. Moly, 1876, Mr. Barnes,
1867, Mr. Forster, 1876, Mr. Clapham, 1860, Mr. Elworthy,
1873, Dr. Lyall, 1866, Mr. James, 1870, Mr. Hodgson, 1871,
Mr. Ivery, 1862, Mr. Stansfield, 1865, Mr. W. H. Phillips, Mr.
C. T. Druery, and others (all of whom might be called pupils),
commenced raising and crossing spores in the years now re-
corded, and were eminently successful, notwithstanding which
botanists still held aloof. The difficulty of convincing those
who receive any departure from preconceived ideas with
especial caution has been extremely great. Every argument
was met by answers that carried so much of truth in them
as to require further proof step by step. One of these argu-

* The author and Mr. Mapplebeck commenced exhibiting seedlings at the Royal
Horticultural Society in 1868, Colonel Jones in 1870, and Mr. Druery more recently.

FERN GROWING 13

ments referred to previous crosses as otherwise accounting
for the variation. At last the crossing of the varieties of
Ferns became an acknowledged fact; but, strange to say, our
authorities, who could not clearly see that the peculiarities of
two English varieties had been combined in one and the
same plant, were at length convinced by seeing these pecu-
liarities in a foreign Fern.*

Twenty years ago Colonel Jones, on visiting the author's
Fernery, was shown a number of seedling Ferns that had
been sown together, in order to obtain a cross of two species,
as this was thought would prove an answer to those who
still looked upon former evidences with doubt. This caused
Colonel Jones to take up the subject, and to repeat the
author's experiments in identically the same manner. It was
thought, as there had been no previously known variety of
a cruciate Asprdium aculeatum, that if spores of a cruciate
Aspidium angulare were sown with a dense-fronded A spzdium
aculeatum, a cruciate Aspidium aculeatum might be the result.
This was accomplished, and ought to be an argument far
stronger than the mere crossing of two varieties of the same
species ; but here again the author had to meet the expressed
doubt of a number of botanists as to Aspzdium aculeatum being
distinct from Aspzdium angulare as a species. As mules are
more or less sterile, the test of a species ought to be that of
sterility. The author crossed the swan goose with the Canadian
goose, also the swan goose with the ordinary goose, and the
progeny lived many years, and there were eggs laid each year,
but no young were ever hatched. The author’s father had
hybrids between the canary and the linnet, but they never laid
fertile eggs. The mule between the ass and the horse is called
sterile, but there can scarcely be absolute sterility. It may be
twenty thousand to one against the production of offspring

* The late Sir William Jackson Hooker had, however, partly acknowledged to the
Rev. M. J. Berkeley that the example he had sent him did look like a hybrid.

14 FERN GROWING

from a hybrid, or even greater odds; still, in the case of a
Fern where a million spores can be sown, if five or ten seed-
lings are raised, it is to all intents and purposes a case of
sterility, although not absolute sterility. This has been tested
by the author over and over again with hybrid Ferns, and
certainly not more than one or two plants are raised from
fifty thousand spores, whilst the spores from crossed varieties
are equally fertile with those of the parent. Now, as a number
of other persons also sowed this hybrid over and over again,
we may take the experience gained from this one Fern as
conclusive. The author sowed unsuccessfully a hundred pans,
z.é., ten each year for ten years, and there could not have been
less than a million spores. Messrs. Dickson & Co., of
Chester, and Messrs. J. R. Pearson, of Chilwell, failed to
raise a plant; the late Mr. Carbonell, of Usk, from repeated
sowings, raised seven plants; the late Colonel Jones, four ;
the late Mr. E. F. Fox, two; and the late Mr. Barnes, of
Milnthorpe, about thirty plants.* Had these spores been
from crossed varietzes there would have resulted many thou-
sand plants. Do not these experiments prove that Aspzdtzum
aculeatum and Asfrdtum angulare are distinct species.

Hybrid species are somewhat less rare than is generally
supposed. We have the one known as WVephrodium remotum,
a hybrid between WV. F2lzx-mas and N. spinulosum, and this
has been sown at least a hundred times without producing a
single plant, although recently some seedlings were observed
on a flower-pan in which this hybrid was growing, and, strange
to relate, they eventually proved to be vemotum. Other hybrids,
natural finds, have been discovered, and each of these will
eventually be described; but it may be remarked that there
is the same difficulty in the raising of spores from them.
Although we may have more or less repetition in giving a

* Half these plants, however, are evidently from accidental spores of another
Polystichum, which reduces Mr. Barnes’s thirty to about thirteen, and perhaps less.

FERN GROWING 15

detailed history of the various papers on the crossing of Ferns,
still it has been thought desirable to show the gradual advance,
as evidenced by the papers read at the British Association, and
at the Fern Conference of the Royal Horticultural Society ; and
also to compile a list of the varieties that have been awarded
certificates, pointing out which were wild finds, distinguishing
them from raised varieties by footnotes for these records. This
is more desirable as we have to refer back many years.
Although 1867 was the year in which the author presented
his first paper on this subject, he had exhibited numerous
varieties at the British Association Floral Féte held in
Nottingham in 1866, and had, in fact, raised a large number
of varieties as early as 1857, and some even earlier than
this.

At the Dundee Meeting of the British Association in
1867,* the author read a paper on “The Abnormal Forms
of Ferns,” in which were shown the various abnormal forms
that species will assume, and said, ‘It was a singular fact that
the varieties of the species have many characters in common,
and that a certain law of form extends through all our
species, the more usual forms being crested, crisp, imbricated,
confluent, ramose, acuminate, narrow, plumose, interrupted,
depauperate, and congested, and moreover we have the mul-
tiple of this, or the commingling of two or three characters
in one frond, such as the narrow-crisped, the multifid-crisped,
or the narrow-multifid as examples. In raising duplicates
from spores, singular accidental spores have been produced,
and a xew method of obtaining varieties detected.” In speaking
of the difference between hybrid species and crossed varieties,
it is said in the same paper that “hybrids can be distinguished
from crossed varieties, inasmuch as hybrids of species are
unproductive, whereas the varieties raised from a species can
readily be reproduced by spores.”

* See page 91, British Association Report, 1867.

16 FERN GROWING

Thus in 1867 a printed record first appeared, calling
attention to the fact that Ferns could be crossed, although
it had been proved, at all events to the author’s satisfaction,
much earlier, and that during the interval from 1857 the
experiments had been repeated over and over again. At
that time it was almost universally believed an impossibility,
and the author had hesitated to publish the fact, well
knowing that it would not be favourably received by those
who were considered as best able to form an opinion; and
how far there was justification in coming to such conclusion
was proved in 1867, when only a solitary botanist could be
found who was prepared to look with favour on these results.
From that time to the present, hundreds of experiments have
been made, in every conceivable direction, with the endeavour
to strengthen these views. The experiments speak for them-
selves, and from them have sprung far more difficult problems
which have been to the author's thinking as fully solved.

The next paper of importance was read in Section D
of the British Association, at the Meeting at Bath, in 1888,
‘Abnormal Ferns, Hybrids, and their Parents,” * by E. J. Lowe,
F.R.S., and Colonel Jones :—‘‘ We do not intend by anything
said in this paper to ignore the exertions of others in the
same field; we only wish to place on record our personal
experience, and what we have accomplished by the labour of
a number of years.”

‘More than thirty years ago experiments were commenced,
and twenty-one years ago a paper was read by one of us
(Mr. Lowe) ‘On Hybrid Ferns,’ at the Dundee Meeting of
the British Association. The subject was at that time in its
infancy, and none of the botanists then present, with the
exception of the late Professor Balfour, thoroughly believed
in these crosses. The next year, 1868, the Rev. M. J.
Berkeley sent a paper, on the supposed crossing of two

* Reprinted from “Annals of Botany,” Vol. III., No. IX., February 1889.

FERN GROWING 17

American species, to the Royal Horticultural Society, and
the late Sir William Hooker remarked ‘that it was the most
probable instance he had yet met with of a real hybrid
amongst Ferns.’ This was a hybrid between Camptosorus
rhizophyllus and A splentum ebeneum.

“The late Mr. Clapham, who had given the subject
careful investigation for some years, only became convinced
by seeing in 1879 the series of examples Mr. Lowe
took to the British Association at Sheffield—crosses of
varieties of Asplenzum, section Athyrium, from mixed spores
of Victorie and proteum.*

“Afterwards, about fifteen years ago, endeavours were
made by one of us (Mr. Lowe) to cross Aspidium aculeatum
with Aspidium angulare, and when the seedlings had become
mature (seven years afterwards) it was apparent, at all events
to the experimenter, that this cross had been accomplished,
but in only five examples out of 1000 seedlings. The
object was to obtain a narrow cruciate variety of Aspzdium
aculeatum, a copy in Aspidium aculeatum of the narrow cruciate
variety Wakelyanum of Aspidium angulare, for as yet this
was a desideratum. Asfzdium angulare, variety Wakelyanum
(Fig. 1),f was sown together with a dense-fronded variety of
Aspidium aculeatum, known as densum (Fig. 2), the result
being a hybrid cruciate A. aculeatum (Fig. 3). In 1884
specimens of this hybrid and a short paper were sent to the
Linnean Society, but this was not sufficient to remove the
doubts of botanists; a year later, however, a letter from Sir
Joseph Hooker stated that the crossing of Ferns was then
an acknowledged fact. This hybrid (Fig 3) and its parents,
together with some of the offspring of the hybrid, were last
year exhibited at the Bath Floral Féte, amongst the specimens

* Proteum has only part of the fronds cruciate ; in prozeozdes all are cruciate.
+ Figures 1, 2, and 3 are pinnz from the centre of the fronds.
{ Eighteen years after the Dundee Meeting of the British Association.

B

18 FERN GROWING

of botanical interest, and it was awarded a first-class
certificate.

“Both of us have had great experience in the crossing
of Ferns, one of us (Colonel Jones) starting twenty years later
than the other, and our results coincide. Instances of
crossing have now accumulated to such an extent as to
preclude the possibility of any further doubt on the subject.
To produce the results, however, great care is necessary

that the germination of the spores are very general and also
simultaneous. The clear proof of the reality of the crossing
of varieties lies in the fact of the production of plants either
bearing a character intermediate between those of the plants
sown, or combining their characters.

‘A remarkable fact in connection with the crosses is the
frequent transference of the character of one variety to
another ; this even applies to variegation. It will be seen in

FERN GROWING 19

the example of the cruciate hybrid of Aspidium aculeatum
that it is a marked copy of the cruciate form of A. angulare,
one of the parents selected with the object of obtaining a

=

ee

teak
as

re

7)

Re

cruciate P. aculeatum. Instead of the usual gradual process,
This applies equally in

the form was obtained at once.*
the case of the polydactylous forms of A. angulare (see Figs.

* A further inference that a number of sperms are employed in the impregnation

of a cell.

20 FERN GROWING

4, 5, and 6, page 19),* and in the variegated forms of
Scolopendrium vulgare.

‘As examples we have selected experiments made with
varieties of Asplenium, section Athyrium, and Scolopendrium
from Mr. Lowe’s series, and some made with varieties of
Aspidium, section Polystichum, from Colonel Jones’s series.
We might have given several hundred examples, but a few of
each is ample illustration.

“Example 1. ATHYRIUM.

“The following varieties were sown together :—V2ctorie,
mullifidum, Jonesiz, Craigiz, uncum, Harrise, cruciatum pro-
teordes, tortile, reflexum, laciniatum, and grammucon.

“The result has been several hundred intermediate forms,
some very interesting.

“ Example 2. SCOLOPENDRIUM.

“In this experiment the varieties were crispum (rarely
fertile), Victoria, muricatum, marginatum, undulatum, digitatum,
vramo-cristatum, laceratum, and a variegated crispum.

“The result has been various intermediate forms, a
number of which are variegated; for instance, the variega-
tion in the cvzspum has passed into a crested form, the colour
as well as the shape being altered.

“Example 3. POLYSTICHUM.

“The attempt was made to transfer the polydactylous
character of certain forms of P. angulare to other forms of
the same species which preserved the normal outline and
distinct individuality but were not polydactylous.

* Fig. 4, var. polydactylum, crossed with Fig. 5, var. pulcherrimum, Fig. 6, a
crested seedling showing the polydactylous character combined with pulcherrimum.

FERN GROWING 21

‘The forms used were Mr. Padley’s polydactylous form
from the Vale of Avoca, and Colonel Jones's Hampshire
form. The polydactylous character has now been successfully
transferred to the forms known as decompositum, acutilobum,
divistlobum, frondosum, alatum, lineare, congestum, Padley’s
vartegatum, and others. The polydactylous character of P.
angulare has also been transferred to P. aculeatum.

“There are four clearly established cases in which the
characters of distinct forms of P. angulare have been trans-
ferred to P. aculeatum. Hitherto the varieties of P. aculeatum
have been very few, so that now a new field for exertion is
open, the results of which it is difficult to over-estimate, for
the robust constitution of P. aculeatum enables it to thrive
in climates in which P. axgulare would soon perish.

“The interest in the varieties of British Ferns ought
to increase, now the crossing of varieties has become an
acknowledged fact, alike on account of the extreme beauty
of many of the crosses already effected, and also because,
however beautiful crosses already obtained are, it may be
confidently asserted that they are nothing to what will be
accomplished when exhaustive experiments, guided by tasteful
and judicious selection, shall have been made. Though much
will depend on selection, there will always be enough left to
the element of chance to keep up the interest. We may
liken the prospect of endless combinations to the combinations
in bell-ringing, and we learn that the changes in the ringing
of twelve bells amount to forty millions. We can scarcely
conceive of the immense field of inquiry that is opened up
in these investigations. The number of forms to be obtained
is past conception, and as the discovery of one truth is
the stepping-stone to the discovery of even greater truths,
so every new form that is raised enables the raiser or those
following in his footsteps to produce countless other com-
binations.”

22 FERN GROWING

Botanists had been protesting over and over again against |
the use of descriptive and compound Latin names that were
so generally adopted by the raisers and discoverers of varieties
of British Ferns, so at length it was determined to hold a
Fern conference and a Fern show at the Chiswick Gardens of
the Royal Horticultural Society, and as from this seems to
date the turning-point to a more healthy state of things, it
is desirable that it should be placed on record with full details
both as regards the show and the congress. In the arrange-
ments of the Royal Horticultural Society for 1890, as pub-
lished in their “ Transactions,” we find :—

ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE FERN CONFERENCE.

The Conference will commence on Wednesday, July 23rd, at 2 p.M., J. G.
Baker, Esq., F.R.S., President of the Conference, in the Chair.

Papers will be read as follow :—

“The Systematic Relations of Ferns,” by Professor Bower, F.R.S.
“The Cultivation of Exotic Ferns,” by Mr. W. H. Gower, F.R.HLS.
‘Hybrid Ferns,” by Mr. E. J. Lows, F.R.S., F.R.HLS.

“ Plumose British Ferns,” by Mr. C. T. Druery, F.L.S., F.R.H.S.

“ Hardy Ferns and their Cultivation,” by Mr. J. BrrRKENHEAD, F.R.H.S.

The following ladies and gentlemen have been requested to act as a
General Committee :—Mr. J. G. BAKER, F.R.S. ; Professor Bower, F.R.S. ; Mr.
W. H. Gower, F.R.H.S.; Mr. E. J. Lowe, F.R.S.; Mr. C. T. Druery, F.L.S. ;
Mr. J. BIRKENHEAD, F.R.H.S.; Dr. F. W. Stansrietp; Mr. R. Ll. PRAEGER,
B.E.; Mr. E. F. Fox; Mr. James Moty; Sir E. G. Loner, Bart., F.R.H.S. ;
Major T. B. Cowzurn, F.R.H.S.; Mrs. C. Cooper; Miss H. J. Kirson; Mr.
R. Irwin Lyncu, A.L.S.; Mr. E. J. Watker; Mr. W. B. Latuam, F.R.HLS. ;
Mr. P. NEILL Fraser, F.R.S.E., F.R.H.S.; Mr. W. Forster ; Mr. J. LORAINE
BaLpwin; Mr. J. E. MappLeBeck, F.L.S ; Mr. James O’Brien, F.R.H.S.; Mr.
H. B. May, F.R.H.S. ; Colonel Beppomg, F.L.S.; Mr. J. H. Firr.

FERN GROWING 29

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, July 22nd, 1890,
EXHIBITION OF FERNS.

SCHEDULE.

For the better examination and comparison of the Plants, it is particularly
requested that Exhibitors will arrange their Collections in the following
groups :—

‘ ‘ BRITISH FERNS.
LASS I.

Group 1.—Adiantum Capillus-Veneris (Maidenhair) and varieties.

»» 2.-~Aspleniums (Spleenworts) and varieties.

»» 3-—Athyrium Filix-foernina (Lady Fern) and varieties.

» 4.—Lastraea Filix-mas (the Male Fern) and varieties.

» 5.—Polypodium vulgare and varieties.

» 6.—Polystichum aculeatum and angulare (the Shield Fern) and
varieties.

» 7.—Scolopendrium vulgare (the Hart’s-tongue) and varieties.

» 8.—Blechnum Spicant (the Hard Fern) and varieties.

»» 9.—Hymenophyllum and Trichomanes radicans (Filmy Ferns,
Tunbridge Fern, Killarney Fern) and varieties.

55 1o.—Other British Ferns, Allosorus, Ceterach, Cystopteris, Osmunda,
Lastrea (except Filix-mas), Polypodium (except vulgare),
Pteris, &c.

PRIZES.

In addition to any Awards which the Council of the Society may themselves
see fit to make at the time to any Exhibitors in the foregoing Classes, the
following Prizes have been placed at their disposal :—

OPEN TO AMATEURS ONLY.
Ciass A.—A Silver Challenge Cup, presented to the Society by N. N.
SHERWOOD, Esq., F.R.H.S., for the best Collection of Hardy
Ferns and their Varieties. Cultivation and beauty of form to
be taken into consideration even more than the mere number
of varieties shown. The plants must have been in the Exhibitor's
possession before January ist, 1890.
If won by the same Exhibitor two years in succession, to become
the property of the winner.
(B.—A Silver Cup was also offered for ‘‘ Hardy Filmy Ferns,” but none
were exhibited, probably owing to the risk of injury to the plants.)

* Nomenclature as used by the Royal Horticultural Society.

24 FERN GROWING

The following are extracts from a paper read at the
Fern Conference * of the Royal Horticultural Society at the
“Fern Show” in 1890,¢ “Hybrid Ferns and Crossed Varieties,”
by Mr. E. J. Lowe, F.R.S. :—“A paper embracing all that is of
interest in so important a subject as hybrid species and crossed
varieties would occupy more time than could be devoted to
it this afternoon. An outline is all that can be attempted.

“Tt is comparatively a new branch of inquiry, and fresh
facts are constantly cropping up.

‘Although the crossing of Ferns has only been recently
acknowledged, nevertheless my own investigations, experi-
ments, and may it be added successes, commenced many years
ago, dating even to the middle of the century. It has there-
fore been thought that a brief history of my own work may
not be unacceptable.

“In the first place, let me explain that a hybrid Fern is
the offspring of two so-called species—as example, between
Asplenium marinum and Asplenium lanceolatum; whilst the
offspring of two varieties of the same species is called a cross.

‘Forty-six years ago a German botanist discovered the
reproductive organs of Ferns; before this we only knew that
sori containing numbers of spores were formed on the
under-side of the fronds, and that these varied in shape and
position in different genera. Spores when they fell to the
ground under favourable circumstances were known to ger-
minate, at first appearing as mere points, and in course
of time expanding and somewhat imitating the appearance of
liverwort. Eventually a tiny frondlet would show itself, to
be followed by others, larger and larger, and more and more
developed, until a mature plant resulted.

* Owing to Mr. Bakers absence through illness the question of the proper
nomenclature for Fern varieties was not discussed.

+ [Reprinted from the “Journal of the Royal Horticultural Society,” Part IIL.
Vol. XII.]

FERN GROWING 25

“It was on the under-side, during its prothalloid or liver-
wort life, that the reproductive organs were discovered. Thus
there is a dual existence: the spore producing the prothallus,
and the impregnated prothallus the frond-life, which in its
turn produces the spore to repeat the process. This discovery
was made in the year 1844. The late Professor Henfrey gave
the details in 1851, and the author remembers at once pointing
out to the late Professor Edward Forbes that it would not
be difficult to cross Ferns, and by his persuasion commenced
experiments. At that time there were but few well-marked
varieties, but in the next ten years many more were dis-
covered by Padley, Barnes, Clapham, Stansfield, Sim, and
others.

‘“‘My first mixed spores were sown in 1855, but the crop
of seedlings were nearly all normal; whilst at the present time
it is difficult for me to raise a normal form: one or two
marked varieties used to be the reward, now they can be
counted by hundreds. We have eventually got so far away
from the original species that the primitive characters seem
to be lost.

“When living in Nottinghamshire there were no wild
Ferns near my residence, but favourable situations were in
course of time crowded with varieties scattered by the winds
from the Fernery. The author could by the year 1875 find
more distinct forms within a mile radius than could be
collected by months’ diligent search in a wild Fern district.
This has been repeated at Shirenewton; for, although the
Ferns have not been there ten years, the spores have sown
themselves in all directions.

“A change of circumstances with a large number of
varieties of Scolopendrium vulgare—t.e., planted where the
surroundings were not favourable—caused all of them to
return to the normal form of the species. Under pot culture
the author has never found varieties to degenerate; better

26 FERN GROWING

soil, a more favourable situation, and greater attention are
sufficient reasons.

“At the Dundee Meeting of the British Association in
1867, it was pointed out that a certain law of form in the
varieties of Ferns seemed to be common to all species—
crested, branched, revolved, truncated, tortuose, brachiate,
plumose, cruciate, linear, or depauperate, in both fronds,
pinnze and pinnules—and the manner of these changes are
common to all the species, and even the multiple of these,
the combination of several characters, such as the linear-
crested or cruciate-crested. In course of time we may
produce plants having many of these forms combined on
the same frond.

“Again, spores gathered from an abnormal portion of a
frond can reproduce this abnormality, whilst spores from a
normal portion of the same frond can produce normal plants.
Also, if plants are raised from varieties for several generations,
it is almost impossible to obtain the original normal forms.

‘The spores from crossed varieties are quite as proliferous
as that of the normal form, whilst hybrids—z.e., crossed
species—are all but sterile. There appears to be no abso-
lute sterility. Take the hybrids that were raised between the
Aspidiums aculeatum and angulare. A hundred pans of spores
that were sown did not produce a single plant. Mr. Carbonell,
however, raised nine, and Mr. Barnes thirty plants,* all of
which differ from the parents and hybrids, the grandchildren
being mostly congested in growth. With regard to Mephrodium
vemotum, a hybrid between sfznulosum and Fzlix-mas, repeated
sowing of spores for more than ten years did not produce
a single plant, though by accident Dr. Stansfield once
succeeded.

“At the British Association Meeting in 1870, the author
gave the following additional results :—

* Half of Mr. Barnes’s seedlings had nothing to do with the spores sown.

FERN GROWING a7

‘Spores from a normal frond produced only normal Ferns.

‘Equal proportions of spores from a normal and from an
abnormal frond produced ninety percent. of abnormal
forms.

“Spores sown 2% separate pans from abnormal fronds
produced plants like the variety from which they were
gathered.

‘Spores from a dozen varieties mixed together produced
many new varieties, and the more remarkable the
varieties selected, the more extraordinary were the
results.

‘Further experiments on hybrid Ferns and crossed varie-
ties were reported to the British Association in 1865, 1867,
1870, and 1888, but the late Professor Hutton Balfour was the
only botanist who would allow that a cross had been obtained
up to the year 1885; indeed it was difficult even to convince
such experienced Fern authorities as the late Thomas Moore
and Abraham Clapham, although the latter in 1879 acknow-
ledged he was satisfied, and, what was more to the point,
commenced experiments and raised some beautiful forms of
Polypodium vulgare. A large number of fine varieties have been
raised by crossing, and for these we are especially indebted
to the late Colonel Jones, Mr. Mapplebeck, Mr. Barnes, Mr.
Clapham, Messrs. Stansfield, and Mr. E. F. Fox, for many of
these plants, and also for numerous wild finds; for the latter
we must also acknowledge the successful labours of Messrs.
Padley, Elworthy, Hodgson, Moly, Lyall, James, Wollaston,
Phillips, Mapplebeck, Airey, Whitwell, Forster, O’Kelly,
Fraser, Praeger, Cooper, Druery, Patey, Wilson, Bolton,
Cowburn, and others. Far more varieties are raised from
spores than are found wild; but we get new blood, new forms,
and consequently increased vigour from the latter, that adds to
the importance of wild finds.

‘‘Some Ferns have young plants growing on their fronds,

28 FERN GROWING

and these are termed ‘bulbils,’ yet these young plants are
not invariably like the parent. In 1865 bulbils from Scodo-
pendrium Wardi produced strong-growing conglomerate forms,
and bulbils on the crested Osmunda regalis yielded a dwarf
grandiceps, with a more spreading root; this plant is now
twenty-five years old. Bulbils from Scolopendrium Kelwayt
have produced a more diminutive form; and others from
Colonel Jones’s polydactylous adzvzselobum of Aspidium angulare,
plants that are not polydactylous.* Ferns that are not usually
bulbiferous occasionally put on this character. Miss Bellairs
sent me the Axminster plumose Lady Fern, having the fronds
crowded with young plants.

“There is yet another means of propagation which has
been discovered by Mr. Druery in the sterile Lady Fern
known as Clarisstma. This is in reality the formation of
prothalli on the frond without the medium of the spore;
when these touch the ground they strike root and produce
fronds. More than twenty years ago Mr. Clapham showed
me an Adiantum Capillus-Veneris, having fronds touching the
ground, producing a crop of young plants, and this might
have been acase of apospory. Plants, however, raised by
this means are also liable to sport. Colonel Jones had
several more or less revolved, one furcate, and another not
unlike Elworthy’s sudplumosum.

“As soon as the discovery of the reproductive organs was
known, it occurred to me that the character of the frond
must depend upon whether impregnation took place from
the same prothallus or from one of a different Fern. This
determined me, in making my first experiments, to mix the
spores of two varieties of the Hart’s-tongue, and as another
experiment, two varieties of the Lady Fern. In one of these

* The beautiful plumose varieties of Aspidium angulare, Baldwini, and imbri-
catum, which received certificates at the Conference, were from} bulbils produced
on the var. densum of divisilobum-plumosum.

FERN GROWING 29

experiments with the latter species strong roots were formed,
and on examination three separate plants were seen. Major
Cowburn and myself both saw excrescences on different plants
of a branching Scolopendrium, and afterwards roots on the
upper surface of the fronds near the base of the stripes, and
both of these examples threw out frondlets before being
pegged down; eventually they were made to touch the soil,
and soon produced independent plants; but if there had been
prothalli, it had become obliterated before we had noticed
the excrescences. The seedlings from these convinced me
that a cross had been obtained between the two varieties.

“The next experiment was with spores from the varieties
of the Lady Fern known as Vuctorie and proteotdes. These
seedlings showed a series of variations, having Vzctorte at
the one extreme and proteozdes at the other.

‘A further experiment was the mixing together the spores
of half-a-dozen varieties of the Lady Fern, and, as another
trial, half-a-dozen varieties of the Hart’s-tongue. This
brought out a new fact—there were seedlings that showed
the characters of three and even four varieties on a single
frond, so that male organs from several varieties had assisted
in this impregnation. The microscopic character of these
organs was a difficulty to be overcome in crossing Ferns,
and the only way to overcome this seemed to be sowing
the Fern spores thickly together, trusting to their close
proximity to enable two or more varieties to be self-crossed.
The antheridia (or male organs) having been noticed to move
about with activity in the moisture on the surface of the
prothallus, it was thought possible for them to come in contact
with the archegonia on another prothallus, and thus fertilisation
would take place on a different plant; and this has been
accomplished.

‘“The above idea was more recently considerably strength-
ened from the remarks of my friend Dr. Hudson, F.R.S.,

30 FERN GROWING

a great authority on microscopic animal life. He showed
that it required a crowd of male organs to effect impregna-
tion amongst certain microscopic animals; and to test if this
extended to Ferns, further experiments were made—z.e., sowing
together in equal quantities spores from a crested and from a
normal form of Nephrodium paleaceum—in order to ascertain
the proportion of crested to non-crested seedlings. These
plants are another proof, for there is not a single plant that
is not crested more or less. However, the author had in
reality proved this previously when spores from four varieties
sown together produced seedlings having all their characters
on one frond.

‘Another experiment with the Hart’s-tongue is also of
peculiar interest. An undulate form, a spiral form, a rugose
form, and a tasselled form were sown together, and amongst
the seedlings there are plants that exhibit all these charac-
teristics.”

“Ferns that the author is now sowing spores from have
a long pedigree—some date back more than thirty years, at
least a dozen generations, and the seedlings from these plants
are all abnormal. Over and over again the author has had
batches of seedlings without producing a single common normal
form. It is quite true that these may revert under adverse
circumstances to the original form, and keep normal under those
conditions. Nevertheless a more generous treatment and a
more suitable situation will, in the course of time, restore
them to their original varietal characters. As early as 1844
the author divided Polypodium Cambricum and Scolopendrinm
crispum, growing the one half in large flower-pots, and planting
out the other halves in exposed situations in a soil mainly
composed of new red sandstone. In the.course of a few years
both these varieties that were planted out had returned to the

* Further information with illustrations will be found in another part of this
work.

FERN GROWING 31

normal state, yet divisions taken from them, in time again
became true Cambricum and crispum. This was also well
seen in the Scolopendriums that were moved from Nottingham-
shire to Shirenewton Hall in 1881. They were planted in
an unsuitable situation, and although there were nearly five
hundred distinct varieties, in three or four years they were
all common Hart’s-tongues. In 1886 and 1887 they were
again transplanted, and have gradually returned to their
original varietal forms.

‘In 1876 an attempt was made to cross two species; and
as there were no known cruciate forms of Aspzdium aculeatum,
it was determined to try to produce one, for, if successful,
this would be a satisfactory proof. The varieties selected
were Aspidium angulare var. Wakelyanum, and Aspidium
aculeatum var. densum, the former being cruciate.* Out of
a batch of several thousand seedlings there were five plants
unmistakably cruciate aculeatums, and also a close copy of the
cruciate angulare. For six years these five plants were normal
aculeatums, but on the seventh they assumed the narrow
cruciate form. In 1884 Mr. E. F. Fox and the late Colonel
Jones repeated the experiment successfully. At the same
time they both endeavoured to add the polydactylous character
to different varieties of Aspzdium angulare, and succeeded ;
the most marked of Mr. Fox’s seedlings being polydactylous
congestum forms ; and those of Colonel Jones various polydacty-
lous varieties of dtveszlobum and lineare, and a variegated
polydactylum of Padley’s variegated angulare. The author had
previously produced similar polydactylous forms in the Lady
Fern. The endeavour to produce various golden Hart’s-
tongues from using spores of different varieties mixed with
those of a golden form, resulted in variegated seedlings which
speak for themselves.

* Alluded to with illustrations in a paper read at the British Association in
1888. See page 16.

32 FERN GROWING

“One of his more recent experiments was the endeavour
to ascertain whether more than one plant could be produced
from a single prothallus. It had been noticed over and over
again that in trying to separate seedlings into single plants,
it often occurred that some were so closely connected that it
required great skill in separating them. When these grew
to maturity, most of them were seen to resemble each other,
and probably had sprung from one prothallus, and this was
well seen, more especially in three plants of a very distinct
variety copying each other.

‘Four years ago he transplanted spores very thinly so as
to allow them room to expand. When these prothalli were
fully grown, a number were cut with a sharp knife into two,
three, and four pieces, and replanted; and those simply cut
into two produced two plants, but when divided into four
they have not produced fronds; they have increased in size,
and though it is more than two years since they were divided,
are yet without fronds.* It seems certain that the male
organs must be on one portion and the females on another ;
hence the absence of fronds.

“Increased or diminished development in fronds, pinnz, or
pinnules, in endless directions, will eventually add enormously
to the varieties cultivated. The energies are often expended
in certain directions, a large capitate head may be at the
expense of the tassels of the pinnae, or large tasselled pinnz
at the expense of the capitate head. A well-developed
plumose form is more or less sterile: the energy is directed
in subdivision, and in consequence the texture is thinner,
and there does not appear to be sufficient strength left to
produce spores. On rare occasions there is a thickening in
this texture on parts of the frond, and there sori are formed.t

* Now more than six years ago, and three of the prothalli are as yet alive but still
without fronds.

+ The A. angulare var. Baldwini has this year become sparingly soriferous ;
the sori are few in number, almost solitary, and there is no indusium.

FERN GROWING 33

In the case of the plumose form of the Hart’s-tongue known
as crispum, occasionally a number of plants, all sterile, are
found in close proximity ; the late Colonel Jones found twenty-
nine near Shirenewton, and Major Cowburn has found nine-
teen at Dennel Hill. Marvellous wild finds are usually
solitary examples. The Mephrodium paleaceum var. cristatum
found in the west of England was a single specimen, and
no second example has been discovered; yet a somewhat
similar form has more recently, however, been found in
North Wales, the two differing in the one being /la¢-crested
and the other dunch-crested.

“An increase in the strength of a plumose form would
thicken the texture of the frond, and enable it to bear spores.
Experiments have been tried on flowering plants as well as
on Ferns, in the hope of procuring this strengthening result.
Taking into consideration that a vast number of antheridia
may be requisite to fertilise a Fern, and a shower of pollen
to impregnate a flower, the single dahlia was selected as a
flowering example, and a capitate form of Aspidium angulare
as that of the Fern to be experimented upon. As it was
wished to use six times as much pollen of a white dahlia
as that of a pink one, six small brushes were filled with
the pollen of a white flower, and one from that which was
pink, the whole being collected on a larger brush and then
repeatedly applied to a white flower. The result in the
seedlings was eighty-seven per cent. of white flowers; whilst
equal parts of white and pink pollen only gave forty-four
per cent. of white flowers. The second experiment with
Aspidium angulare, in order to increase size as well as
greater development, could only be done by using mixed
spores in certain proportions—z.e., six times the number of spores
from the largest crested varieties to one of a variety of larger
growth, if sown together, it was thought might be the means of

increasing the vigour of the plants, and thus produce a Fern
G

34 FERN GROWING

having a larger size and a greater crest : these plants give great
promise of a successful issue, though they are as yet only
infants.** Strength added in this way might develop a tri-
pinnate frond, so that the lobes of the pinnules should even
become stalked, crested, and more divided.

“Investigations such as these are not confined to Ferns ;
they extend to flowering plants, and a great future is before
the student who prosecutes these inquiries. Those who give
themselves up to scientific investigations cannot avoid receiving
adverse expressions from unbelievers; but doubt may change
to belief, for sooner or later truth will assert itself. The
reasoning which at first seemed cloudy and obscure, may, by
the multiplication of a chain of evidence, clear away these
clouds, and then the sun, the emblem of truth, will shine
in all his glory.”

In the discussion on this paper, Dr. D. H. Scott, F.R.S.,
of the Experimental Laboratory of the Royal Gardens, Kew,
said—

‘The most surprising statements in Mr. Lowe’s interesting
paper related to the combination of the characters of several
varieties in a single individual in cases where the spores of
the varieties in question had been sown together. If the
results were really due to multiple hybridisation, it would
involve the fertilisation of an ovum by several spermatozoids,
each contributing somewhat of its own character to the
offspring. This supposition contradicted all that was directly
known as to fertilisation in Ferns, in which it had always
been found that only a single spermatozoid fused with the
ovum; instances of multiple fertilisation in plants were rare.
It had been stated that in /fwcus more than one spermato-
zoid united with the ovum, but recent observations had
rendered this very doubtful. Mr. Lowe’s explanations of
the facts could hardly be accepted by botanists until direct

* More mature now, and the plants strong and largely capitate.

FERN GROWING 35

microscopic observations had established the possibility of
multiple fertilisation in Ferns.” *

Professor Bower, F.R.S., said ‘this inquiry had now arrived
at the stage when it might be put to a vigorous test. Perhaps
the best way would be to cultivate certain ‘prothallia,’
and then to actually follow the whole process of development
through, under the microscope. The next step would be to
proceed in the same way as with fungi. He thought the
views put before the conference that afternoon would make
any man take the subject in hand to investigate.”

Dr. Stansfield, of Reading, said “he had experimented
in the same way as Mr. Lowe with spores of the Axminster
variety (of the Lady Fern), with the result that a multiple
character was produced. The spores were sown together,
and great variety was shown in the progeny. Not only
was cresting developed in the pinnules, but instead of a
flat crest a round one was obtained. Another result different

* There are so many difficulties to be surmounted in a microscopic examination,
that it may be years (if ever) before the microscope discloses multiple parentage
in Ferns. The author has tried it himself and failed. One of the difficulties is
the absolute necessity of thick sowing, for when prothalli do not touch each other
we cannot obtain a cross; and if we grew them separately, and then brought two
or three others, and planted them so that they overlapped, the facilities would not
be increased, as there must still be the difficulty of a clear view; and the organs
of generation might not be in a proper condition at the same time.

Then again, so few are the instances of multiple impregnation in comparison
to the number of spores sown, that a thousand distinct microscopical investigations
might not yield a single example. It is no doubt desirable to repeat the attempt,
as this might be observed; but a negative result could not contradict it. If, in
addition to more than one spore entering a single cell, and more than one cell
on a prothallus being impregnated, we have the assimilation of all the cells on
one and the same prothallus to contend with, the investigation seems hopeless.
The fortunate microscopist who shall, at the right time, succeed in a thorough
examination of an impregnated Fern ovum, or Fern ova, will probably see of a
single spermatozoid, but an ovum bristling with the tails of a crowd of these tadpole-
like organs (as have been seen in microscopical animal life), and thus be able to
explain the usefulness of large numbers of spermatozoids; but not only this, he
will have established a position that but few could ever hope to attain.

36 FERN GROWING

from Mr. Druery’s was from sowing plumosum elegans (of
the Lady Fern). It did not result in any ‘cresting,’ but in
the development of the cutting of the pinnules.”

Extracts from a Paper read at the British Association Meeting
at Cardiff in 1891, by the Author.*

Facts REGARDING PROTHALLI AND THE PROPAGATION
oF FERNS.

“Occasionally in a batch of seedling Ferns there will
occur several plants of some strangely marked variety identical
in their characters, and growing so closely together that it is
difficult to separate them. The author has long suspected these
were produced on the same prothallus; indeed this seemed
evident in four instances of remarkable seedling A¢hyrzunis, yet
the development was too far advanced for absolute certainty.

~To examine this carefully, a number of Scolopendriums were

planted in the prothallus state, and on the young fronds
appearing, two were noticed identical in character and unusual
in form, which when examined were found to have their
origin in one well-developed prothallus. With a penknife it
was possible to divide the prothallus so as to secure the two
plants, which were planted in a pan and have not since been
disturbed.

‘‘Prothalli were then planted from a pan of mixed muricate
and undulate Scolopendriums, and these were divided before
the formation of fronds into two equal parts ; in some examples
the two plants resulting were alike, in others they differed,
but showed their muricate and undulate origin.

“The next experiment was dividing the prothallus into
four equal parts. This was done in January 1888. Every divi-
sion grew and spread in a more bush-like manner than is the

* See “ Report of British Association, 1891.”

FERN GROWING 27

case with undivided prothalli, but up to July 1890 there was
no sign of any frond. It appeared evident that the male and
female organs of generation were on separate divisions. To
test this, in May 1890 another prothallus was planted in
close proximity to one of these, in fact made to actually
intermingle, and in August fronds appeared. The other
divisions, except four, were similarly treated, and all have now
produced fronds. The spores had been sown on August 1887,
and divided on January 12th, 1888, so that the prothallus
exhibited has been in this condition four years. The usual
time from prothallus to frond being only a few months.

“In an interesting example of the Lady Fern (alluded to
in the next paper), a prothallus produced three plants exactly
alike and having two kinds of fronds. It was from a mixture
of eight varieties, and these show the parentage of six, and
now and then seven. They have the lax pinne of wxcum,
the cruciate pinne of Victorzg, the projected pinne of fro-
jectum, the lunulate pinnules of Frzze//iz, the cruciate pinnules
of crucipinnulum, the truncate terminals of éruacatum, and occa-
sionally the cresting of multifidum. This Fern has reproduced
six and occasionally seven characters. According to the
doctrine of probability, it is 720 to 1 against the production
of six varieties on the same plant, and 5040 against seven.

“Turning to other means of reproduction, experiments are
required in order to ascertain why the bulbils that form on
some fronds do not always produce plants like the parents,
and why it is possible to transfer the bulb-bearing character
to other varieties. Scolopendrium densum often produces much
more coarse and less-divided Ferns than itself. A. angulare
plumoso-divisilobum var. densum has produced two plants from
its bulbils that are strikingly distinct from the parent and
each other; one is densely imbricate and procumbent like
the parent; whilst the other is as finely divided as Todea
superba, and is erect in habit. Again aposporous plants,

38 FERN GROWING

that is, those raised from the prothalli direct without the
intermediate spore, also vary. (An aposporous plant of C/ar-
zsstma* of the Lady Fern shows this.)

“Even.plants raised from the base of the stipes of plumose
Scolopendriums have produced marginal belts.”

Extracts from a second Paper read at the British Association
Meeting at Cardiff in 1891, by the Author.

On FERNS AND THEIR MUuLTIPLE PARENTS.

‘Colonel Jones and myself read a joint-paper on abnormal
Ferns at the Bath Meeting of the British Association, which
is printed in full, with illustrations, in the third volume of
the ‘Annals of Botany.’ The present paper is a report on
further experiments, and on the surprising discoveries that
have resulted.

“Since 1887 other hybrids have been obtained, and
although these hybrids are more or less sterile, a few plants
(grandchildren of the original parents) have been raised, and
they differ so much from the parent that nearly all resemblance
has disappeared. What will be the characters of the great-
grandchildren is now in course of proof.t It is very different
in the case of the offspring of crossed varieties: they are
copiously fertile, and when sown alone reproduce their varietal
form. Not only have certain forms been imparted to other
Ferns, but even variegation, notably so in the Shield Fern
and the Hart’s-tongue. In the latter, spores from a normal
but variegated form were sown thickly with a plumose (or
crispum form) and a branching form, and their offspring
have become variegated. By sowing a muricate and a plu-
mose Hart’s-tongue together, muricate-plumose varieties have

* Named after Clara, Colonel Jones’s wife—not a Latin word.
+ 1893. Not sterile, less congested than the grandchildren, some even robust.

FERN GROWING 39

also resulted. For illustrating multiple parentage, the Hart’s-
tongue has been selected, as the simple, strap-shaped fronds
are best able to show the various departures from the normal
form.

“In repeating the experiments of mixed spores, the
varieties in each case have been limited to three or four,
so that the resultant changes could be more narrowly in-
vestigated. Distinct mixtures were sown in 1887, 1888,
1889, and 1890, and the results in all the experiments
establish the fact that the antheridia of more than one
variety have assisted in the impregnation. The varieties had
conspicuously distinct characters, and in an example of 1888
the spores were gathered from a dwarf spiral form, a muricate
or warty form, an undulate, and a ramose one; more exactly
speaking, the varieties were spirale, undulatum, muricatum,
and keratordes. The parents are exhibited as well as three
of their children, the latter having the names of guadriparens,
Darwiniana, and echinatum. They unmistakably show on
each plant the characters of the whole of these parents. In the
hundreds of these seedlings, as might be expected, the majo-
rity show only the characters of two parents, in a less though
considerable number the characters of three, whilst only a
small number exhibit those of the four parents. The plants
in the 1889 experiments are from a muricate, a branched,
and a cup-bearing form, the latter known as peraferens, the
object being to obtain ‘cups’ on a branching muricate Fern,
as this was a desideratum. There was no previous example of
more than one cup on a frond. In the seedlings a divided
frond can be observed with cups on each division, a tasselled
form with a rosette in place of an actual cup, and in another
example a marginal row of small cups: all are muricate.
It is worth remarking that the seedlings from mixed spores
never seem to produce any plants that exactly resemble any
one variety, they are all combinations; in other words,

40 FERN GROWING

antherozoids from a number of different antheridia have
helped in these fertilisations. In sowing varieties of the
Lady Fern, I have raised the combination of five and six.
This is alluded to in my paper ‘On Prothalli.. These plants
that gave evidence of multiple parentage were obtained in the
identical manner formulated before they had any existence.
Spores require to be sown thickly to enable the prothalli to
intermingle, otherwise they are only fertilised from the same
prothallus.

“If we take the reasoning of Sir John Herschel on the
doctrine of probability and apply it to these trials, the chances
against the view adopted being incorrect are as great as that
of the haphazard distribution of the stars.

“These experiments regarding the changes in animal and
vegetable life were commenced forty years ago. Bearing to
some extent on this subject, experimenting on the mimulus,
a yellow variety was crossed with a spotted one, and the
seedlings were spotted; later on, and further up the same
stem, two blooms were then crossed with a yellow one, but
the seedlings were still spotted. The effect of the first cross
had become a part of the life-history of the plant; in a second
experiment the same plant was simultaneously crossed with
pollen from two other varieties, and several of the seedlings
are combinations of the three. It requires dexterity in crossing
the mimulus, as the lips of the pistil are as sensitive as the
leaves of the sensitive mimosa. Natural changes are slow,
but culturally we can accelerate that process which continues
age after age. The germ once changed, the new element is
retained, it becomes combined with others until the normal
appearance is lost. The illustration of the Hart’s - tongue
shows this alteration, helped on as it were by artificial means
that have accelerated the process, and these changes will
continue whilst the world lasts. Darwin sowed the seed,
and his followers are reaping a plentiful harvest.

FERN GROWING 41

‘“‘Affectionate respect causes tablets to be erected in
memory of the departed, but age obliterates such records. It
is, however, far different with the philosopher who has dis-
covered great truths: he has erected a monument to himself
‘more lasting than brass!’ Time wears away the hardest
rock, but it will require the crumbling of this world
to obliterate the truths that have been taught by Charles
Darwin.”

At the Fern Show of the Royal Horticultural Society
in 1890, the only Silver Challenge Cup awarded was to the
author, and this had to be again contested for in 1891, on
which occasion it was again awarded to him.

It was at this exhibition that the idea originated to hold
a Fern Show in 1892 on a different principle. Instead of
awarding a silver cup for the best collection, it was proposed
to offer a number of gold, silver, and bronze medals to a
certain number of varieties of each species. It was said that
no one could compete with so large a collection of specimens
as were in the author's collection. Major Cowburn stated
his opinion that if Ferns were shown in a number of classes,
the same collection of Ferns would again prove successful.
Major Cowburn agreed to assist in obtaining subscriptions
for this object, on condition that the author would act as
secretary ; and he, the author, and the late Mr. E. F. Fox
drew up a schedule of prizes that was submitted to Mr.
James Moly, Mr. Druery, Mr. Neill Fraser, Dr. Stansfield,
Mr. Phillips, Mr. Praeger, Messrs. Birkenhead, and finally
adopted.

Major Cowburn also suggested that this was an occasion
when several eminent Pterologists, who were, alas! now no
more, might, with great propriety, have their labours recog-
nised in some lasting manner; and this was accomplished by
having several memorial prizes, and these prizes represented

42 FERN GROWING

those species and varieties in which each had accomplished
so much. Sad to relate, Major Cowburn died before this
show took place, and the world lost a valuable and universally
esteemed Pterologist.

‘It seems desirable to enter fully into the details of this
show, as it was supported by a large number of persons
interested in British Ferns.

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, EXHIBITION OF BRITISH
FERNS, AT THE SOCIETY’S GARDENS, CHISWICK, W.,

Tuesday and Wednesday, August 23rd and 24th, 1892.
SCHEDULE.

Special Medal Prizes offered by British Fern Growers to Amateurs of the
United Kingdom for specimens of the best varieties of British species, with the
object of creating a greater interest in our native Ferns.

*,* Note.—S. G.F. indicates Silver Gilt Flora Medal; S. F., Silver Flora Medal;
B. F., Bronze Flora Medal ; S. B., Silver Banksian Medal; B. B., Bronze Banksian
Medal.

Crass A.—Colonel A. M. Jones’s Memorial Prize for ro plumose varieties
(no restriction of species). Given by his daughters and Capt.
Stafford Jones. S.G. F. Won by the author.

Ciass B.—Mr. Edwin Fydell Fox’s Memorial Prize for ro cruciate or narrow
varieties (no restriction of species). Given by his sons, Dr. E.
Churchill Fox and Dr. Arthur E. W. Fox, and his brother, Mr.
G. F. Fox. 5S. G. F. Won by the author.

Crass C.—Mrs. Maria Grant’s Memorial Prize for 10 varieties of Athyrium
Lilix-femina. Given by her son, Mr. W. J. A. Grant. S.G. F.
Won by the author.

Crass D.—Mr. William Charles Carbonell’s Memorial Prize for 10 varieties
of Polystichum aculeatum and hybrids with P. aculeatum. Given
by “the Family.” S.G. F. Won by the author.

Cuass E.—16 varieties (no restriction of species). Given by the Clifton
Zoological Gardens, Mr. E. J. Lowe, F.R.S., and Major
Cowburn, F.R.H.S._ First prize, S. G. F. Won by the author.

Crass F.—16 dwarf or congested varieties (no restriction of species). Given
by the Hon. Mrs. Brassey, F.R.H.S., and Mrs. A. Hodgson.
First prize, S. F. Won by the author.

Cass

C1Lass

CLass

Cass

Cass

Cass

Cass

Cass

Cass
CLass

FERN GROWING 43

G.—8 varieties (no restriction of species). First prize, S. F. Won by
the author. :

H.—8 varieties of Wephrodium Filix-mas (including MV. paleaceum).
First prize, S. F. Won by the author. Classes G and H given
by Mr. W. Barnard Hankey, F.R.H.S.; Mr. C. T. Druery, F.L.S. ;
Mr. R. A. Thompson ; Mr. E. T. Pease; and Mr. A. E. G. Way.

I.—1o varieties of Scolopendrium vulgare. First prize, S. F. Won by
the author.

K.—8 varieties of Polystichum angulare. First prize, S. F. Won by
the author. Classes I and K given by Mr. Jonathan Rashleigh,
F.R.HLS. ; Lord Llangattock, F.R.H.S.; Mr. R. Clive, F.R.H.S. ;
Mr. P. Neill Fraser, F.R.S.E.; and Mr. W. B. Boyd.

L.—8 crested or capitate varieties (no restriction of species). Given
by Mr. J. W. Leavers, F.R.H.S.; Mr. F. J. Clark, F.LS.; and
Dr. Stansfield. First prize, S. F. Won by the author.

M.—4 varieties, restricted to species not included in C, D, H, I, K,
N, or Q. Given by Alderman Ellis, Mr. W. S. Lang, and Mr. O.
Firth. First prize, B. F. Won by the author.

N.—4 varieties of Polypodium vulgare. Given by Mr. W. Birkenhead,
F.R.H.S. ; and Mr. J. Birkenhead, F.R.H.S. S. F, Won by Mr.
W. Marshall.

O.—8 rugose or muricate varieties (no restriction of species). Given
by Mr. J. E. Mapplebeck, F.L.S. First prize, S. B. Won by the
author.

P.—4 Adiantums. Given by Mrs. Thomas. B. F. Won by the author.

Q.—1o wild varieties of Aspleniums (including Ceterach). Given by Mr.
P. B. O’Kelly. B. F. Won by the author.

Best specimen. Given by Mr. W. H. Phillips. B. F. Won by Mr. W.

Marshall.

5, variety. Given by Mr. R. Lloyd Praeger, M.R.I.A. 3B. F. Won by Mr.

C. T. Druery.

, variegated or golden variety. Given by Mr. James Moly. B.F. Won

by the author.

Hybrid variety. Given by Mr. G. Harris. B. F. Not awarded.

» Athyrium. B. B. Won by Mr, C. T. Druery.

», Scolopendrium. B. B. Won by the author. These prizes given
» LVephrodium. B. B. Won by the author. by Mr. John
» Lolystichum. B. B. Won by the author. [ Loraine Bald-
», Osmunda. B. B. Won by the author. win,

» Lolypodium. B. B. Won by Mr. W. Marshall. ’

44 FERN GROWING

Best Adiantum. B.B, Won by the author. Given by Mr. J. H. Fitt.
» Asplenium. B.B. Won by the author. Given by Mr. G. Gillett.

At the National Fern Conference of the Royal Horticultural Society, held at
Chiswick, July 22nd and 23rd, 1890, the author received the following special
Certificates of Merit, viz. :-—

Adiantum Capillus-Veneris, var. autumnale.
Asplenium Filix-foemina, var. calomelanos.

3 3 var. columnare.

3 ‘s var. coronare.

95 45 var. cructatum.

3 - var. magnificum.

+ i var. Victorie-gracile.
1* Aspidium aculeatum, var. Addotte.

$5 +4 var. hybridum.

2t * 5 var. pulcherrimum. .
y anzulire (section decompositum) var. frondosum.
re » (section divisilobum) var. pliumosum.
rs 33 (section divisilobum-plumosum) var. Baldwini.
Ss » (section ” 5 ) var. émbricatum.
er si (section laciniatum) var. flabellipinnulum.

bo
++

53 » (section latifolium) var. grandiceps.

3 » (a hybrid) var. Negos.

if » (section plumosum) var. plumosissimum.

‘i » (section 9 ) var. coronare.

- » (section at ) var. foliosum.

4 3 (section polydactylum) var. variegatum.
4§ eS 5 (section lineare) var. remoto-decurrens.
5|| Nephrodium paleaceum, var. crispatum.-
61 % rT var. pendens.
gee

a spinulosum, vat. spectadz/e.

1* Found near Bristol by Mrs. Abbott, and brought under notice by the late
Colonel Jones.

2t Found by the late Mr. Wills.

3 Found in Dorset by the late Mr. Wills.

4§ Found by Mr. James Moly.

5|| Found near Bettws-y-Coed by Mrs. Boyle.

67 Found by Mr. Ranyard.

7** Found on Ben Lawers by the author.

FERN GROWING 45

Scolopendrium vulgare, var. Alexandra.

” ” var. angustatum.
” ” var. aureolum.
” ' var. capitatum.
8* ” 5 (section crispum) var. Cowdburnt.

” ” var. grandiceps.
” ) var. luminare.
3 5 var. muricato-spirale.
” 9 var. pericalles.
” » var. princeps.
gt ” 4 (section crispum) var. reflexum.
1of ” ‘i (section 9» +) var. robustum.
” ” var. rosetta.
” ” var. syuthesina.
t1§ ‘Trichomanes radicans, var. crispo-cristatum.

(All the above, and those in the succeeding lists, were raised from spores,
except those marked * &c., as wild-found varieties.)

The following of the author's Ferns have also received first-class certificates
by the Royal Horticultural Society :—

Adiantum Capillus-Veneris, Admirabile (Lowe), 1871.
i 5 angustatum (Lowe), 1872.
r2||,, 45 daphnites (Lowe), 1871.
imbricatum (Lowe), 1872.
halon (Lowe), 1868.
13) 4, 55 multiceps-dentatum (Lowe), 1872.
i re optandum (Lowe), 1872.
+3 3 perfectum (Lowe), 1871.
Aspidium aculeatum, acrocladon-majus (Lowe), 1871.
adrastia (Lowe), 1891.
honorabile (Lowe), 1892.

” ”

” ”

8* Found at Dennel Hill, Gloucestershire, by the late Major Cowburn.
gt Found by the late Mr. Wills.
1o{ Found near Shirenewton by the late Colonel A. M. Jones.
11§ Found in Ireland by the late Colonel Arthur S. H. Lowe.
12|| From spores given to the author by Sir Joseph Hooker.
137 Found in the Galway Mountains by Mr. Kinahan (Irish Geological Survey).

46

FERN GROWING

14* Aspidium angulare (section setosum) gracile (Lowe), 1891.

”

transforme (Lowe), 1871.

15+ Asplenium adiantum-nigrum, gvandiceps (Lowe), 1868.
ceterach, multifido-cristatum (O’Kelly), 1891.
Filix-foemina, abasiphyllum, (Lowe), 1868.

16f 3
1785
”
”
”?
”
”
”
18l| ss,
191
9
”?
”
”
”
”
ay
”
”
”
”
”
20%*

Albertii (Lowe), 1872.

Alexandre (Lowe), 1871.
amenum (Lowe), 1869.

Arthuri (Lowe), 1872.

Bellairse (Lowe), 1871.

centiceps (Lowe), 1872.

diffisum (Moore), 1869.
Edwardsit (Lowe), 1869.
Ldwardsit-ramosum (Lowe), 1872.
exempluum (Lowe), 1870.

frrasert (Lowe), 1869.

Gulsone (Lowe), 1871,

Hookeri (Lowe), 1869.

invincere (Lowe), 1871.
Kallisteumaton (Lowe), 1870.
Kalliston (Lowe), 1869.

Kalon (Lowe), 1869.
Kephalobares (Lowe), 1870.
Kladodesteron (Lowe), 1868.
Lawsoni (Lowe), 1871.
Longridgense (Lowe), 1868.

Lowe (Lowe), 1871.
Lowe-angustatum (Lowe), 1872.
(section lunulatum) We/ze (Fox), 1891.
(section cruciatum) Regale (Lowe), 1868.
Rickettsia (Lowe), 1869.

secale (Lowe), 1871.
strombomenon (Lowe), 1870.

14*
15t
16¢
17§
18||

197

Found in Ireland by Mr. W. H. Phillips.
Found in Ireland by the Rev. Travers Smith.
Found in Ireland by Mr. P. B. O’Kelly.
Found in Ireland by the late Rev. C. Padley.
Found in Guernsey by the late Mr. James.
Found in Ireland by the late Mr. Riley.

20** Found in Lancashire by the author.

FERN GROWING 47

Asplenium Filix-foemina, /odeoides-superbum (Lowe), 1872.

21*

22t

»

”

my

”

triumphale (Lowe), 1871.
trossulum (Lowe), 1871.
Victoria-elegans (Lowe), 1872.

marinum, admirabile (Lowe), 1870.

oF

capitatum (Lowe), 1869.
imbricatum (Lowe), 1868.
imbricatum-superbum (Lowe), 1872.
ramo-capitatum (Lowe), 1873.
ramosum-Claphami (Lowe), 1869.
Thompsone (Lowe), 1871.

23} Hymenophyllum unilaterale, Kizahani (Lowe), 1871.
24§ Nephrodium (dilatatum) spinulosum, calomelanos (Lowe), 1871.

25§
268
278
28]
297
30**

3itt

32h
33tt
3488

”

”

”

”

2

Ks 5 ornamentum (Lowe), 1873.
3 es spectabile (Lowe), 1870.
es re spectabile-ramosum (Lowe), 1871.
i Filix-mas, depauperatum-Padleyi (Lowe), 1871.
53 Frraser@ (Lowe), 1872.
s variegatum (Lowe), 1871.
paleaceum, acceptum (Lowe), 1870.
43 Belperi (Lowe), 1871.
magnipficum (Lowe), 1872.
“ nitidum (Lowe), 1868.
+5 Willstd (Jones), 1891.

Osmunda regalis, cagztata (Lowe), 1891.

”

cristata-minor (Lowe), 1872.

Scolopendrium vulgare, acceptum (Lowe), 1871.

”)

”

45 Albertit (Lowe), 1872.
i allokoton (Lowe), 1869.

21* Found in Wales by the late Mr. Clift.

22t Found in Devon by Mrs. Agar Thompson.

23f Found in Ireland by Mr. R. Kinahan of the Irish Geological Survey.

24, 25, 26, and 27 § These and eleven others found under one large cavernous
stone on Ben Lawers by the author.

28||

Found on Exmoor by the late Rev. C. Padley.

297 Found in Scotland by the author.

30** Found in Yorkshire by Miss Wright.

31tt Found in Scotland by the author.

32 and 33 ff Found in Scotland by the author.

34§§ Found in South Devon by the late Mr. John Wills.

48 FERN GROWING

Scolopendrium vulgare, amenum (Lowe), 1868.
Pa a areston (Lowe), 1868.
” » asumbleton (Lowe), 1870.
35" » aureo-variegatum (Lowe), 1868.
3 4 axion (Lowe), 1870.
” » Babingtoni (Lowe), 1869.
» 5 blandissimum (Lowe), 1892.
a Fy, capitellum (Lowe), 1868.
mn re cochleatum (Lowe), 1871.
* 5 cochleatum cristatum (Lowe), 1872.
- 4 consummatum (Lowe), 1871.
‘i 3) Coolingti (Lowe), 18C8.
% 5) circulum (Lowe), 1870

7m as corolla (Lowe), 1892.

ss » erispum decorum (Lowe), 1891.
36t SC, » erispum pendens (Lowe), 1892.

5 es cuticulare (Lowe), 1869.

é ss Davyi (Lowe), 1871.

af ra decorum (Lowe). 1867.

; Pa dichotomum (Lowe), 1868.
37¢ os , divergens (Lowe), 1868.

Ff 3 dividendum (Lowe), 1869.

45 » eupleces (Lowe), 1870.

i » Lellowsit (Lowe), 1871.

as a Flora (Lowe), 1870.

< » formosum (Lowe), 1868.

6 » gloriosum (Lowe), 1869.

3 < Hookeri (Lowe), 1868.

9 55 tllustre (Lowe), 1868.

4 4s innocuum (Lowe), 1871.

3 - inusitatum (Lowe), 1870.

5 ‘4 kephaloton (Lowe), 1871.

55 “ keratoides (Lowe), 1868.

a FF heratophoron (Lowe), 1871.

Pe 3 kompsotes (Lowe), 1870.

3 5 horumbosphoron (Lowe), 1869.

35* Found near Ambleside by the author.
36+ Found near Shirenewton by the late Colonel A. M. Jones.
37 Found near Dunkeld by the author, but unfortunately now dead.

FERN GROWING

Scolopendrium vulgare, Zraspedon (Lowe), 1870.

krosson (Lowe), 1870.

marginato-undulatum (Lowe), 1869.

margine (Lowe), 1870.

megeraton (Lowe), 1870.

mirabile (Lowe), 1868.

mirum (Lowe), 1872.

Moone (Lowe), 1871.

Moorei (Lowe), 1868.

muricatum-crispum (Lowe), 1891.

muricatum-reflexum (Lowe), 1892.

muricatum-superbum (Lowe), 1891.

notabile (Lowe), 1868.

omnilacerum Lowei (Clapham), 1871.

optandum (Lowe), 1869.

ornamentum (Lowe), 1869.

(section peraferens) nepenthesoides (Lowe), 1891.

perfectum (Lowe), 1871.

perikallon (Lowe), 1870.

pictorum (Lowe), 1870.

poluklonon (Lowe), 1869.

poluskiston (Lowe), 1870.

pracinctum (Lowe), 1871.

proodonton (Lowe), 1870.

ramo-coronatum (Lowe), 1872.

(section ramo-inzequale) /audadbile (Lowe), 1891.

(section ramo-marginatum) Z/worthid (Lowe), 1872.

ramosissimum (Lowe), 1868.

rugosum-Bellairsie (Lowe), 1869.

scalpturatum-latum (Lowe), 1868.

semnon (Lowe), 1870.

Sherbrookei (Lowe), 1872.

significans (Lowe), 1868.

Smeet (Lowe), 1871.

spirale-nanum (Lowe), 1869.

stenomenon (Lowe), 1868.

stephanedon (Lowe), 1870.

summum (Lowe), 1869.

(section supralineatum) Zowez (Lowe), 1868.

(section 7" ) Moone (Lowe), 1891.
D

49

50 FERN GROWING

Scolopendrium vulgare, shaumaston (Lowe), 1869.
. i Thompsoni (Lowe), 1869.

“ 5 thusanesson (Lowe), 1869.

45 ‘i tortum (Lowe), 1868.

a 5 transformaium (Lowe), 1870.
3 ‘si tridentiferum (Lowe), 1869.
A 53 triforme (Lowe), 1868.

re a tumulum (Lowe), 1871.
43 i Victoria (Lowe), 1869.
a 45 virginale (Lowe), 1871.

VARIETIES OF BRITISH FERNS THAT HAVE BEEN CERTIFI-

CATED BY THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
BETWEEN 18s9 AND 1893.

Adiantum Capillus-Veneris, 11—(of these one was won by Veitch, one by
Lee, one by Williams, and eight by the author).

Aspidium (subsection polystichum) aculeatum, 4—(one by Ivery, and the same
by Mapplebeck, and three by the author).

Aspidium (subsection polystichum) angulare, 46—(z.e., eight by Ivery, three
by Bull, two by Birkenhead, one each by Stansfield, Mapplebeck,
Thompson, Edwards, Gray, Luccombe, Veitch, and Patey, and
twenty-five by the author).

Asplenium Adiantum-nigrum, 3—(one by Parsons, one by Thompson and
Stansfield, and one by the author).

Asplenium Ceterach—1 (by the author).

Asplenium (subsection Athyrium) Filix-foemina, 113—(ze, 30 by Mapplebeck,
thirteen by Ivery, three by Parsons, two by Jones, four by Stansfield,
seven by Bull, two by Edwards, two by Garaway, four by Shaw and
Williams, two by Birkenhead, five by Druery, one each by Clapham,
Moore, Girdlestone, Howlett, Veitch, and Richardson, and thirty-three
by the author).

Asplenium marinum, 9—(z.e., one by Mapplebeck, one by Backhouse, and
seven by the author).

Asplenium Trichomanes, 2—(z.e., one by Holland, and one by Stansfield).

Cystopteris fragilis, 1—(z.e., by Mapplebeck).

Hymenophyllum unilaterale, 1—(¢.e., by the author).

Lomaria Spicant, 6—(z.e., by Mapplebeck two, by Stansfield four).

FERN GROWING 51

Nephrodium (subsection Lastrea) dilatatum (-spinulosum), 7—(ée., by Ivery
one, by Mapplebeck one, by the author five).

Nephrodium (subsection Lastrea) Filix-mas (including paleaceum and abbrevi-
atum), 18—(z.e., by Bull three, by Mapplebeck three, by Parsons two,
by Ivery one, by Thompson one, by Birkenhead one, by the author
seven).

Nephrodium (subsection Lastred) montanum, 4—-(ze., by Stansfield two, by
Birkenhead one, by Williams one).

Osmunda regalis, 4—(z.e., by Osborn two, by the author two).

Polypodium vulgare, 7—(¢.e., by Mapplebeck three, by Stansfield one, by Back-
house one, by Ivery one, and by Cross one).

Pteris aquilina, 4—(¢.e., by Mapplebeck four).

Scolopendrium vulgare, r14—(ze by Mapplebeck nine, by Jones four, by
Birkenhead two, by Ivery two, by Kelway two, by Stansfield one, by
Edwards one, by Morgan one, by Malyon one, by Veitch one, by
Williams one, and by the author eighty-nine).

The following Ferns have also received certificates from the Royal Horti-
cultural Society, exhibited by others :—

Adiantum Capillus-Veneris, zmbricatum, 1886.
magnifjicum, 1869.
maximum, 1870.

3 3 undulatum, 1869.
*Aspidium aculeatum acrocladon, 1864 and 1868.

4 angulare, Bayle.
* brachiato-cristatum, Smithti, 1870.
conjiuens variegatum, 1882.

» ”

” ”

congestum, 1870.
corymbiferum, 1860.
eristato-gracile, 1867.
aivisilobum Padleyt, 1867.
55 5 re decorum, 1891.
Grayi, 1868.

grandiceps, 1864.

Pr 33 Pe pumilum, 1875.
Floleane, 1866.

lineare, 1867.

* Mr. J. E. Mapplebeck.

§2

FERN GROWING

Aspidium angulare, oxyphyllum, 1867.

”?

”

* OK OK K+ OK KF OK

"3 parvissimum, 1865.
” Pateyi, 1868.
” proliferum Henleya, 1882.

3 pulcherrimum, 1891.

e pulchrum Bellairsi@, 187%.

rr votundatum, 1864.

i setosum, 1866.

Asplenium Adiantum-nigrum, /adellatum, 1865
‘9 ay o of Thompson, 1868.
‘5 5» Sexpentini, 1872.
Asplenium Filix-foemina, achzllefolium, 1872.

$5 acrocladon, 1881.
is Applebyanum, 1863.
re bellum, 187%.
3 Blakei, 1870.
rn caput-Medus@, 1870
55 caudiculatum, 1871.
” ceratophyllum, 1871.
3 Clarissima, 1873.
45 comicum, 1870.
i Craigit, 1869.
9 3 glomeratum, 1891.
4 5 splendens, 1870.
. curtum, 1865.
5 defecto-sectum, 1870
5s densissimum, 1870.

5 aiffiso-multifidum, 1864.
adilatatum, 1871.

. Llizabetha, 1868.

4 Llworthit, 1869.

4 eucephalum, 1868.

5 eulophos, 1869.

Pa Fieldia lancifolium, 1864.
ne jissidens irregulare, 1865.

Jiabellifolium, 1870.
i 5 cristatum, 1870.
3 “fe tenue, 1871.

* Mr. J. E. Mapplebeck. + Colonel Jones.

FERN GROWING 53

Asplenium Filix-foemina, flexile, 1872.

” ” Footit, 1867.
eo ogs ‘5 Frraseri glomeratum, 1867.
” 3 Frizella, 1861.
ne? ms Surcillans, 1869.
wg ” Gillsonia, 1871.
i ” » feabellatum, 1872.
. ” ii 3 Jurcans, 1870.
” 3 glomeratum, 1863.
” a Girdlestonet, 1867.
” ” <9 cristatum, 1891.
” ” Gloveri, 1867.
® 9 8 Hlowarde, 1868.
” . | Sveryanum, 1862.
= ” i JSonesit, 1870.
” 3 hallothrix, 18609.
7 ” = Mapplebeckit, 1869.
” 3 mucronatum, 1862.
” ” multiceps, 1859.
” . farsonia, 1862.
ae: ” paucidentatum abruptum, 1872.
” ‘ Peaseanum, 1867.
” 9 plumosum, 1860.
” 4 i Axminsterense, 1867.
t ro i “9 Drueryt, 1891.
” ” 5 multifidum, 1867.
” + proliferum, 1866.
34 pulcherrimum, 1867.
2 5 pulchrum, 1866.
ia a ramosissimum, 1867.
oO 55 rectangulare, 1871.
7 : 9 regale Barnes vat., 1889.
{ 53 33 revolvens, 1891.
as ee 5 rotundatum aristatum, 1892.
re ‘3 sagittatum, 1863.
is 5 scopeforme, 1868.
‘5 45 Shawit, 1869.
ey, a spicatum, 1872.

* Mr. J. E. Mapplebeck. t Mr. C. T. Druery.

54. FERN GROWING

Asplenium Filix-foemina, Stanleyz, 1869.
” ” Stansfieldia, 1869.

t 5 5 superbum densum, 1891.
t ” ” ” percristatum, 1892.
Bs 5 torto-cristatum, 1868.
” ” trifidum, 1871.
” a Vernone, 1864.
Te ” i cristatum Jonesit, 1873.
” . Victoria, 1864.
= Pr marinum Auchmithianum, 1869.
ss rf plumosum, 1886.
6s Trichomanes, Haroviz, 1865.
Bs Pe incisum triangulare, 1865.

* Cystopteris fragilis, gracilis, 1868.
* Lomaria Spicant, cvispata, 1871.
” i lancefolia-anomala, 1869.
si 5 Mapplebeckit, 1869.
+5 » projecta furcans, 1869.
3 53 serrata rigida, 1865.
3 ys undulata, 1865.
Nephrodium spinulosum, crispum, 1868.

iaeT 5 cristatum splendens, 1872.
ss Filix-mas, Bollanda, 1862.
5 55 cristato-crispum, 1869.
= $5 fimbriatum, 1890.
35 3 Lestingit, 1882.

3 2 Soliosum, 1869.
Mapplebeckit, 1868.
parvulum, 1869.
rvamosissimum, 1869.
+ revolvens, 1871.
montanum, corvonans, 1882.
crispum, 1869.
cristatum, 1863.
vamo-coronans, 1888.
Osmunda regalis, acztiloba, 1867.

3 5 cristata, 1862.
* Polypodium vulgare, difido-cristatum, 1872.

* Mr. J. E. Mapplebeck. + Colonel Jones. t Mr. C. T. Druery.

FERN GROWING 55

Polypodium vulgare, Cornudbcense, 1869.

o a 5 &raspedomenon, 1869.
as » pulcherrimum, 1864.
rr » ramosum, 1865.
* x » semilacerum robustum, 1869.
3 » trichomanoides, 1886.
Pteris aquilina vars.
ae % cristata Glovert, 1871.
ier » grandiceps Mapplebeckit, 1872.
by ” ” ” 18 7I.
ae re incurva, 1871.
Scolopendrium vulgare vars.
7 iy af Chiftit, 1868.
3 $5 crispumyimbriatum, 1887.
t iy 45 latissimum, 1873.
* a 4 latum-multifidum, 1869.
a ss cristulatum, 1888.
i > digitatum-majus, 1892.
9 <4 Edwardsit, 1867.
* 5 Pe Forsteri, 1872.
* 5 i Gloveri, 1869.
* 3 a hemionitoides, 1869.
t ys ij insigne, 1873.
a Lveryanum, 1870.
3 rr Kelwayi, 1868.
oe es 35 densum, 1882.
5 aa lacevato-cristatum, 1870.
t fs 7 marginato-cristatum, 1873.
* 6 a marginatum tenue, 1868.
- 4 Morgani, 1866.
3 3 multifidum Malyont, 1870.
* 3 si obtusidentatum costale, 1869.
T 53 ; robustum, 1873.
* + ‘3 semipinnatum, 1869.
* aa f spirale, 1868.
34 = Valloist, 1887.
FA a3 Withiamsit, 1873.

The above list will give the relative advance in the number of good varieties

* Mr. J. E. Mapplebeck. + Colonel Jones.

56 FERN GROWING

that have been added to the different species as worthy of certificates since 1859.
These are all First-Class Certificates except the following :—

SILVER BANKSIAN MEDAL.

To Osborn, for an Osmunda regalis var.

The number of First-Class Certificates were thus awarded :—

To the Author . ‘ . 171 Messrs. Shaw and Williams 4
Mr. Mapplebeck 52 Messrs. Birkenhead . 4
Mr. Ivery . : : x 22 Mr. Thompson : = 3
Messrs. Stansfield. . 13 Mr. Druery 3
Mr. Bull . : : . 10 Messrs. Williams 2
Colonel Jones . : . 6 Mr. Garaway 2
Mr. Parsons. ; . 6 Messrs. Backhouse 2
Messrs. Veitch . 3 4 Messrs. Kelway 2
Mr. Edwards . F . 4

and one First-Class Certificate was won by each of the following :—

Messrs. Lee, Gray, Luccombe, Patey, Clapham, Moore, Girdlestone, Howlett,
Richardson, Holland, Osborn, Cross, Morgan, and Malyon. Altogether 324
First-Class Certificates have been awarded by the Royal Horticultural Society—
Z.€., 171 to the author, and 153 to all the other exhibitors.

The author gives this enumeration of Certificates in order to show how much
can be done by carefully crossing the varieties of the different species of Ferns
in a scientific manner, for in the First-Class Certificates that the author has thus
won, twenty-one only were from wild-finds, whilst one hundred and fifty-one were
the author’s own seedlings. Then, again, the author’s plants have only been at
the Royal Horticultural Society’s Shows eleven times—viz., at their five County
Shows, 1868 to 1872, and between 1869 and 1872 three times at the London
Shows ; after this the author’s plants were not again at the Royal Horticultural
Society until 1890, when a Cup was offered for the best collection of Ferns, and
on which occasion it was awarded to the author. At this Show there were
Special Awards of Merit given by the Fern Conference, but as these were
omitted in the list of Certificates of the Royal Horticultural Society, 1859 to
1893, they have not been included, although at that Show forty of the author’s
plants received this mark of distinction (the whole awards at that Exhibition
being about fifty). In 1891 the above-mentioned Cup had again to be competed
for (as it had to be won twice before it could be retained), and the author’s
Ferns were again successful. It was at this show that the lovers and cultivators
of Ferns entertained the idea, and in fact decided upon it, that another Show
be held at whch the varieties should be shown in sections.

FERN GROWING a7

In addition, the following varieties received First-Class Certificates from the
Royal Botanic Society by the author :—

Asplenium Adiantum-nigrum var. grandiceps, 1868.

i marinum var. decorum, 1868.

i 3 var. imbricatum, 1868.

», Filix-foemina var. abasiphyllum, 1867.
Asplenium Filix-feemina var. ELdwardsiz, 1867.

Ks + var. umbraculeforme, 1867.
Scolopendrium vulgare var. ariston, 1868.

35 sy var. adichotomum, 1868.

5 ‘sy var. formosum, 1867.

45 5 var. zlustre, 1868.

* a var. marginato-undulatum, 1867.

ne Pa var. Jooret, 1868.

¥) 3 var. notabile, 1867.

5 y var. omnilacerum, 1867.

+ #5 var. fortum, 1868.

‘5 mA var. stenomenon, 1867.

At the British Association Floral Féte at the Nottingham Meeting in 1866
(at which Mr. Thomas Moore, of the Chelsea Botanic Gardens; Mr, Thomas
Speed, Chatsworth Gardens; and Mr. Westland, of Witley Court, were the
judges), the following varieties received First-Class Certificates :—

The Rev. C. A. A. Padley for—

Polystichum angulare, assimile, parvissimum, inequale, reflexum, variegatum,
formosum, glomeratum, orbiculatum, vestitum, and plumosum, Scolopendrium
vulgare, variegatum and undulato-variabile ; Polystichum aculeatum, grande,
Nephrodium paleaceum, vamosum, Athyrium Filix-foemina, cordatum,; and
Asplenium Trichomanes, Aou/ez.

Lord Belper for—
Nephrodium paleaceum, Westlandiz.
Mr. Edwards for—
Scolopendrium vulgare, AZoorez.
Mr. E. Cooling for—
Scolopendrium vulgare, Coolingii.
The Author for—

Asplenium Trichomanes, zciswm-Claphami and interruptum ; Scolopendrium
vulgare, Hookert, crispum-incisum, and tortuoso-cristatum , Athyrium Filix-foemina,
Longridgense, digitatum,; Polypodium vulgare, Daudenyense ; Nephrodium
spinulosum, ebeneum , and Asplenium marinum, zmbricatum.

58 FERN GROWING

Varieties that the author has received First-Class Certificates for at the Floral
Fétes of the British Association :—

Adiantum Capillus-Veneris var. Zalon, Norwich, 1868.
Asplenium Adiantum-nigrum var. grandiceps, Norwich, 1868.
marinum var. zmbricatum, Nottingham, 1866.
38%, Trichomanes var. Clapham, Nottingham, 1866.

e Fe var. interruptum, Nottingham, 1866.
Filix-foemina var. Longridgense, Nottingham, 1866.
var. mirandum, Norwich, 1868.

i 33 var. trossula, Bath, 1888.
Nephrodium spinulosum var. ebeneum, Nottingham, 1866.

» ”

39T- 55 Filix-mas var. Cronkleyense, Norwich, 1868.
4ot ,, %5 var. votundatum, Norwich, 1868.
41§ Lomaria Spicant var. imbricatum-Cliftiz, Dundee, 1867.
4 », var. kalon, Dundee, 1867.
Polypodium vulgare var. calomelanos, Bath, 1888.
5 . var. Daubenyense, Nottingham, 1866.

Aspidium aculeatum var. cruciatum, Bath, 1888.
‘a 5 var. Fileye, Norwich, 1868.
42\| ,, angulare var. Bucklee, Norwich, 1868,

” : var. flabellipinnulum, Bath, 1888.
” ” ariprepes, 1871.
” Fi attractum, 1892.

* ‘3 coronale, 1869.

(section cristatum) circumglobatum, 1891.
(section ,, ) Aybridum, 1891.
(section cruciatum) Wympha, 1891.
(section grandiceps) coronale, 1891.

5 is (section a5 ) teda, 1891.
inaccessum, 1892.

laudatum, 1868.

(section lineare) daxum, 1869.
longipinnatum, 1892.

38* Found in Yorkshire by the late Mr. A. Clapham and Mr. Tatham.

39t Found in Teesdale by the author and Colonel A. S. H. Lowe.

4ot Found near Whitby by the author.

41§ Found in North Wales by the late Mr. Clift.

42|| Found in Yorkshire by Mrs. Buckler.

437 Certificates marked 1891 and 1892 refer to the Royal Horticultural Society.

FERN GROWING

Aspidium angulare, mousogenes, 1870.

”

”

”

nidum, 1868.

oxyphyllum Elworthit, 1869.

pictorum, 1871.

(section plumosum) angustatum, 1892.
(section plumoso-divisilobum) gracile, 1891.
(section ” 3 ) robustum, 1892.
(acutilobum) conspicuum, 1871.

(section plumosum) Rhea pinnae, ostrich plume.

Lileye, 1892.
(section rotundatum) erectum, 1871.
var. daudatum, Norwich, 1868.

Aspidium angulare var. rotundato-cruciatum, Bath, 1888.
Scolopendrium vulgare var. adornatum, Bath, 1888.

43*

44t

45t

”

» var. allokoton, Norwich, 1868.

» -Var. crispum-incisum, Nottingham, 1866.
» var. CliftiZ, Norwich, 1868.

» var. Coolingit, Nottingham, 1866.

» var. coronale, Dundee, 1867.

» var. dichotomum, Norwich, 1868.

» var. formosum, Dundee, 1867.

» var. Hookeri, Nottingham, 1866.

» var. dlustre, Norwich, 1868.

» var. marginato-undulatum, Norwich, 1868.
5 var. Moorez, Dundee, 1867.

» var. mirum, Bath, 1888.

»» var. notabile, Dundee, 1867.

» var. omnilacerum, Norwich, 1868.

var. plecomenon, Norwich, 1868.

», var. scalpturato-latum, Norwich, 1868.

» var. supralineatum Lowet, Norwich, 1868.
» var. tortum, Norwich, 1868,

» var. ¢rtforme, Dundee, 1867.

» Var. stenomenon, Nottingham, 1866.

» Var, tortuoso-cristatum, Nottingham, 1866.

eh)

43* Found in North Wales by the late Mr. Clift.

44+ Found at Heversham Head by the late Mr. J. M. Barnes.

45£ Found near Scarborough by the author.

(The reference numbers from 38 to 45 are in continuation of those in the Royal
Horticultural Society’s list.)

60 FERN GROWING

BRITISH ASSOCIATION FLORAL FETE, BATH, 1888.
(Report from the Gardeners’ Chronicle.)

“The most conspicuous feature was that of British Ferns. The unique
varieties of Colonel Jones, of Clifton, and of Mr. E. J. Lowe, F.R.S., of
Shirenewton Hall, near Chepstow, made a grand display, numbering some
hundreds of well-grown plants. All the First and Second Prizes were taken by
these two gentlemen, who between them also secured thirty First-Class Certi-
ficates for very distinct new varieties: New Ferns also came from twelve
other well-known growers. Such a collection has never been before brought
together.

“The following is the list of First-Class Certificates awarded : *—

Mrs. Abbot, The Priory, Abbots Leigh, near Bristol, for—
Aspidium aculeatum (section grandiceps) Addo‘e.

Mr. J. M. Barnes, Levens, Milnthorpe, Westmoreland, for—
Polypodium vulgare var. mu/tifido-elegantissimum.
5 » var. folioso-cornubtense.
43 » var. bifido-granatceps.
Nephrodium abbreviatum var. grandiceps.
5 montanum var. coronans.
Asplenium Filix-foemina var. vegale.

‘ 3 var. plumosum Barnesii.

Mr. W. C. Carbonell, Usk, for—
Aspidium angulare var. divistlobum-grandiceps.

Mr. C. T. Druery, F.L.S., Fernholme, Forest Gate, Essex, for—
Lomaria Spicant var. concinna.

+3 $3 var. ramo-cristata,

Mr. Fitt, the Frythe Gardens, Welwyn, Herts, for—
Nephrodium paleaceum var. vamo-cristatum.

Mr. E. F. Fox, Brislington, Bristol, for—
Aspidium aculeatum var. corymbiferum.
“5 ts var. corymbiferum-cruciatum.
a angulare var. congesto-polydactylum.

Mr. Garnett, Bowness, Windermere, for—
Asplenium Filix-foemina var. sedigerum-cristatum.

* The author is not responsible for any names, except of those exhibited by
himself: some contain from thirty to forty letters, and are the reverse of euphonical.

FERN GROWING

Mr. Gill, The Fernery, Lynton, Devon, for—
Nephrodium emulum var. cristatum.

Mrs. Grant, Hillersdon House, Cullompton, Devon, for—
Scolopendrium vulgare var. crispum-variegatum.

Colonel A. M. Jones, Staffa House, Clifton, for—
Asplenium Filix-foemina var. uaco-Craigiz.
Aspidium aculeatum var. polydactylum.

”

”

”

angulare var. /rondoso-cruciatum.

var. acutilobum-cruciatum.

var. cruciato-polydactylum.

var. frondoso-bulbiferum.

var. decompositum-magnipicum polydactylum.
var. divisilobum polydactylum.

var. decompositum-splendens polydactylum.
var. multilobum-polydactylum.

var. inequale-variegatum polydactylum.
var. divistlobum elegans.

var. latifolum grandiceps.

var. polydactylum grande.

var. divisilobum plumosum robustum.
var. foltoso-cristatum.

Scolopendrium vulgare var. crispum latissimum.

a”

var. crispum robustum.

Nephrodium paleaceum var. grandiceps.

Mr. E. J. Lowe, F.R.S., Shirenewton Hall, Monmouthshire, for—
Trichomanes radicans var. crispo-cristatum.
Aspidium angulare var. fabellipinnulum.

”

”

”

”

var. coronare.
var. rotundato-cruciatum.

aculeatum var. Aybridum.

Scolopendrium vulgare var. mrum.

”

”

var. adornatum.
var. circulum.

Asplenium Filix-feemina var. mirandusm.

”

var. frossula.

Mr. James Moly, Langmoor, Charmouth, Dorset, for—
Aspidium angulare var. /ineatum.

”

”

”

”

var. cristato-gracile.
var. latifolium.

61

62 FERN GROWING

Aspidium angulare var. grandiceps.
Scolopendrium vulgare var. variegatum.

Mr. Moule, Ilfracombe, Devon, for—
Scolopendrium vulgare var. covonans.
rh » -var. crispum-fertile.
Cystopteris fragilis var. cristatum.

Messrs. F. W. and H. Stansfield, Fern Nursery, Sale, Lancashire, for—
Asplenium Filix-foemina var. /aciniato-ramulosum.
*9 53 var. congestum laciniato-cristatum.
i ‘4 var. congestum-eXcurrens.
Yr Pr var. angustato-congestum.
= var. unco-glomeratum.
i as var. plumosum dtvaricatum.
Aspidium angulare var. pulcherrimum.”

ON THE CROSSING OF FERNS, AND THE INTERESTING
RESULTS OBTAINED AFTER MANY YEARS’ CAREFUL
INVESTIGATION.

In writing a history of the crossing of Ferns, and in
giving an account of the various successes that have been
attained, it is necessary in the first place to point out that
distrust and disbelief have persistently met these experiments,
although step by step these truths have been gradually ac-
knowledged after long intervals of time.* The simple
statement that the author could cross different varieties of
Ferns was disbelieved, and said to be an impossibility, and it
was confidently stated that the male sperms from one pro-
thallus escaped from their antheridia by simple rupture, or were
propelled with so little force, that they could only fall on the
surface of the same prothallus, and there swim about in its
dampness until the female cell was found ; therefore they could
not extend their journey to another prothallus, which was re-
quisite to effect a cross, however close it might be.

Nearly forty years ago the author exhibited a large number

* These cautious proceedings on the part of our leading specialists as regards new
evolutional views cannot, however, be complained of.

FERN GROWING 63

of crossed varieties, such as no one else possessed, and with
them showed the varieties from the combination of which
they had been produced. Mr. Thomas Moore, of the Apothe-
caries’ Gardens, Chelsea, gave his opinion that they were un-
doubtedly produced from the parents shown, that the life-blood
of both was apparent in above a hundred examples, but how
this was accomplished he could not say, though he did not
believe in any one being able to impregnate a Fern; and this
well-known authority repeated his conviction twenty years
later, on returning a paper that the author had presented
to the Linnean Society, and added that a number of botanists
who were present had formed the same opinion of “not
proved.” This paper, with the mature examples as illus-
trations, was returned to the author with an intimation that the
Linnean Society had refused to have it printed. The author
had submitted it, before sending, to experts in Fern-raising
from spores, and amongst those who examined its statements
was the late Mr. Abraham Clapham, of Scarborough (a
gentleman who had disbelieved in crossing Ferns, but who
had a short time previously acknowledged that his judgment
had been changed, and that he could see this had been
accomplished), the late Colonel Jones, and the late Mr. E. F.
Fox, who were then both repeating these experiments, and were
confident about obtaining the same conclusions, and the year
after the rejection of the paper by the Linnean Society they
had each succeeded in accomplishing the same result. Two
years later Sir Joseph Hooker wrote to the author that “the
crossing of Ferns was an acknowledged fact.”

The author had next to report on having succeeded in
producing multiple impregnations, and this again was stoutly
resisted on the grounds that one sperm alone crossed a germ,
and when once this was accomplished there was an end to
this part of the process. The author had suggested that if
only one sperm was requisite to cross a germ, why could not

64 FERN GROWING

several germs be crossed on the same prothallus ; but to this
it was said that if all the others were crossed, this would come
to nothing, as only one germ would produce fronds. The author
had seen reason to doubt this fact, and was at the time en-
deavouring to obtain proofs. The author had taken various-
sized (2.2., various-aged) prothalli, and cut them into two, three,
and four pieces, and had succeeded in growing them. Some
had previously received impregnation and some had not; of
two examples, one with three divisions, out of a batch of
spores that included a mixture of eight different varieties of the
Lady Fern, and another of three varieties of the Hart’s-tongue,
fronds were produced on all the three divisions of the one
prothallus (ze., of the Lady Fern), and on two of the Hart’s-
tongue. In both cases the varieties were identically the same,
-and in the case of the Lady Fern the evidence was over-
whelming ; there had been produced from this one prothallus
three plants (before said to be an impossibility), not only
exactly altke, but a new variety, differing in an extraordinary
manner from all others. The plants had two kinds of fronds,
and in the two fronds could be distinctly seen characters of
six of the varieties that had been sown together, part of them
on the one frond and part on the other, the most marked
feature of distinction being that in one case the frond was
acuminate and in the other truncate. These three plants are
now, and have been for some time, fully grown specimens ;
they were all produced from the divisions of the one pro-
thallus, and thus have not only proved that more than one
plant can be raised from the same prothallus, ze. more than
one cell can become fertile, but that either a number of
sperms assisted in the impregnation of three cells, or that
one or more different sperms had impregnated several cells,
and that by assimilation the effect was spread over the whole
prothallus. If only a single sperm in each cell, then a¢ Least
five cells had been impregnated by a sperm from each of the

FERN GROWING 65

five varieties, the sixth character being obtained from the germ.
In the latter case two of these cells did not germinate.
Judging of the case from the doctrine of probability, more than
one sperm must have landed in one or more of the female
cells, because almost the same number of spores from the
eight varieties were sown together. Now, if only five of the
varieties had deposited sperms (one in each cell), the chances
against this would be 120 to 1; if six, this would be increased
to 720 to 1; and if we take into consideration the whole of
the eight varieties, it would be 40,320 to 1. We are there-
fore strengthened in the conclusion that it is requisite for a
number of sperms to impregnate each cell.

In a series of experiments, using a mixture of equal
amounts of spores of four distinct varieties, the result has
invariably been alike, viz., that in a large number of seedlings
only one or two are found to show the characters of the four
parents, an increased though still a small number, of three
out of the four parents, and the remainder only combinations
of two. In these experiments no single individual was like
any one of the varieties that had been sown together. If only
a single sperm impregnated a cell, we should have a number
of plants in which the sperm had impregnated a cell on its
own prothallus, and in not a single instance has this occurred.
Another reason for the conclusion that more than one sperm
had impregnated the cell is the fact that, where we have
obtained plants showing the four varieties, we still do not
raise two alike, and this seems to affirm that the variation is
caused by a percentage of the sperms of any one variety
predominating.

Amongst the objectors to multiple parentage Mr. G. B.
Wollaston considered that only a cross between two varieties
could be obtained, and that the other peculiarities were the
result of a previous cross. Professor Vines and others con-

sidered that the experiments should be made with plants
E

66 FERN GROWING

that had none of this previous cross. If the result were
obtained accidentally, Mr. Wollaston’s idea might be correct ;
but if the same results are obtained over and over again,
this could not, by the same reasoning on the doctrine of
probability, be possible. Take the example of the mixing of
the four varieties of Scolopendrium (viz., a muricate, a crested,
a spiral, and an undulate form): now, if only two of these
varieties effected the cross, and the other peculiarities were
due to previous crosses, how is it that the peculiarities are
restricted to these four varieties? Why do we not get other
peculiarities that are spread through the hundreds of other
varieties of Scolopendriums, and how is it that, if we sow
from every one of the varieties carefully kept separate, our
seedlings are mostly a copy of the variety we have sown?

No matter how much different blood we have in a variety,
it is a fixed quantity, and may be treated the same as if it
were a single cross.

A muricate and a normal but crested variety produce
muricate-crested forms, not all alike, but all muricate and
crested, and bearing a great resemblance to each other.

If we add an undulate one amongst our spores, we have
a portion that are muricate, undulate, and crested, but by
far the greatest number are either muricate-crested, muricate-
undulate, or undulate-crested ; and if, in addition, we add spores
of a variety with a spirally twisted apex, we obtain a few
(very few) seedlings that are muricate, undulate, and crested,
with the crestings spirally twisted, a rather greater number
undulate, muricate, and crested, or undulate, crested, and
spirally twisted, but by far the greater number only a
combination of two of the varieties; but we never get any
departure from the peculiarities of these four varieties,* showing
any other extreme forms that have not been sown.

* Ze., we only obtain some slight variation, and these are undoubtedly owing to
previous crosses.

FERN GROWING 67

To set the question at rest with regard to previous
crossings having anything to do with these multiple com-
plications, the author made a number of experiments by sowing
the spores of these multiple crosses separately. The examples
which the author now quotes give us everything that we
require. They are varieties of Hart’s-tongue Ferns, viz. :—

1. Darwiniana, the combination of four varieties.

_2. Quadriparens, the combination of four varieties.

3. A variety having the murications on the under-side of
the fronds, whilst the upper surface is smooth. (This is a
new departure in character, being the reverse of the muricate
forms hitherto known, and has moreover elongated triangular
fronds.)

The Darwiniana seedlings are all Darwiniana, those from
guadriparens all guadriparens, whilst those from the third
variety, having its murications underneath, are also exact
copies of their parent.

Many other experiments made at the same time might
be quoted, but they: would simply be repetitions of these
confirmations.

So great a consensus of proof is, or ought to be, difficult
to confute. It has been attained by the work of thirty-five
years of experiments, repeated over and over again, taken with
the greatest care, and with the object of establishing certain
facts that revealed themselves from the first.

There is no more difficulty now in acknowledging multiple
crossing than there was only a short time ago in denying that
Ferns could be crossed.

Certain beliefs have been held as regards the reproduction
of plants, and because the present discoveries are more or
less opposed to those views, the discoveries themselves are
received with doubt; but why there should not be a vast
difference in the reproduction of plants that have two lives,
the prothalloid and the frond life, it is difficult to understand.

68 FERN GROWING

Mr. Druery’s discovery of apospory in Ferns is a case in
point. We know that in the lowest orders of organisation
we do not see any reproductive organs, and that fully de-
veloped forms break into separate pieces, each of which
becomes a distinct individual ; between this and the ordinary
manner of reproduction both in the animal and vegetable
kingdoms, which are so well understood, we have the families
of Ferns, acknowledged to have ‘wo separate existences, the
prothalloid life and the frond life; and also it is known that,
differing from the higher forms of existence, they have in the
prothalloid life a number of female and male organs, instead
of only one. Why should only a single sperm from any one
of these male organs be able to impregnate a single female
cell, or why should not more than one female cell become
impregnated? The natural conclusion must be that, as
multiples of these organs are formed, they are for the
purpose of multiple impregnation.

In nature, varieties of Ferns are the exception, the normal
species predominating, and therefore young plants are as
normal as their parents; yet, as in every other rule, there are
exceptions, for Mr. Padley found in one lane more than
fifty crested Polystichums more or less alike, being so
abundant that the seedlings found in this lane were crested.
Mostly only one solitary example is found of any peculiar wild
variety. Mr. Phillips, however, found a batch of the Royal
Fern having revolved fronds. In the neighbourhood of Shire-
newton the normal form of the Hart’s-tongue has partially
undulate fronds. The Troggy variety of the Asplentum
Trichomanes is the only form of Asplentum Trichomanes where
it grows. In the sea-caves at Auchmithy, near Arbroath, the
only form of the Sea Spleenwort is one with prominent ribs;
the ordinary form is not to be found, although the caves are
full of plants of this species.

Along the sea-coast at Dawlish there is a locality in which

FERN GROWING 69

the tips of the Scolopendriums are all forked, and the same
peculiarity is found in a lane at Westward Ho.

These are a few instances which illustrate that an abnormal
form may in time become the ordinary form of the locality.
The process is slow, because the mortality must be very great
where the seedling plants have to take care of themselves.
In the millions of spores that are scattered from one plant,
most of them fall either where there are no favourable places for
their growth, where accidents of climate, &c., destroy them after
they have commenced to germinate, or where other plants more
vigorous than themselves have smothered them out of existence.

Let us take the case of the peculiar cruciate Lady Fern
known as Victorie or the crested Male Fern (Nephrodium
paleaceum var. cristatum) as examples; they were large plants
when found, and must have had millions of spores carried by
the wind in all directions, yet no second plant of either has ever
been discovered. When spores of these are sown and carefully
tended, the amount of plants raised is only restricted by the
number of spores sown.

It must be apparent to every one that in growing such
extremely delicate and minute forms of vegetable life, where
constant daily care is essentially requisite, we are able in an
artificial manner to materially accelerate their reproduction ;
and that we are enabled to obtain a pedigree of a score
generations in fifty years, producing changes in each generation
by a series of crossings, whilst in the wild state they will not
have changed, or only rarely be changed, from the normal
form. From the author’s own crossing of Ferns a pedigree of
twelve and thirteen generations has resulted since 1860, and
the author never now raises a normal form from their spores,
every plant is a variety. From time to time changes have
branched out from this pedigree in various directions. In 1842
the author began the cultivation of Ferns, in 1880 they were all
removed from Nottinghamshire into Monmouthshire, and for

70 FERN GROWING

several months were kept in pots within a walled drying ground,
and ever since that time varieties of Scolopendriums have
kept appearing on neighbouring walls, where before there was
nothing but normal forms. One of these Scolopendriums
(Lentonense) has been found three-quarters of a mile off, no
doubt from spores carried by the wind from the original plant.
We are not only entitled to ask why certain results are
produced from certain experiments, but also to accept the
most natural explanation. In the case in point, the production
of the four characters of four Fern parents on one and the
same seedling was obtained by mixing spores of the four
varieties ; not as a solitary instance, but repeated over and
over again for a number of years, the repetition giving
evidence of the same result, and, even when varying the
experiments in every possible manner, this fact remains un-
altered. May we not think the established law ¢hat only one
sperm acts on the same germ does not hold good with Ferns,
for if it did we could not obtain the combination of more
than the peculiarities of one male and one female. If we
consider the effect of the combination of four parents (now
proved in so large a number of instances), we must believe
the result can only have been from the fertilisation of the
ovum or Ova on one and the same prothallus. There must
have been the influence of three sperms from three different
prothalli with one ovum; or a sperm from three different
prothalli must have fertilised three different ova; and these
being oz the same prothallus, assimilation may have caused the
whole of these fruitful cells to fuse, as it were, the sperm
characters, and thus produce a plant having the forms of all
the sperms; or, what is as likely, a number of sperms have
assisted in this impregnation. In the case of assimilation,*
the characters of the germ will predominate, because there

* A term the author has adopted to denote the fusing of the inflorescence of the
sperms of two or more fertilised germs on the same prothallus.

FERN GROWING 71

will be the influence of three germs, with the same pecu-
liarities, combining with three different sperms, each having
its own character.

Turning to the experiment of an equal amount of spores
of two varieties, when sown together, giving the characters
of both in all the progeny, instead of a portion only having
the character of one variety, allusion is here made to the
experiment with a mormal and a crested variety, where in a
thousand seedlings only three were normal, or in proportion
of 333 to 1. Were a single sperm only to act on a single
germ, we should naturally expect two hundred and fifty plants
like the normal variety, and two hundred and fifty like the
crested one. Two hundred and fifty would be the crested
crossed with the normal, and two hundred and fifty the normal
form crossed with the crested; this would give seven hundred
and fifty with crests, and two hundred and fifty without, which .
is a strikingly different proportion, being as three to one.

If this impregnation were extended to more cells, and
assimilation admitted, it would be possible to account for even
greater variations ; but this does not explain the result if two
varieties alone are sown together. No one can deny the
fact that the peculiarities of three or more varieties have
been produced by one and the same impregnation (the plants
unmistakably show this); but as to whether this has resulted
from the action of more than one sperm on one germ, or of
more than one germ on a prothallus, being each fertilised
by a single sperm, or a number of sperms acting on several
germs on the same prothallus, assimilating and imparting all
their peculiarities to one of these germs, the conclusion arrived
at must in any case be in opposition to the assertion that
only one sperm can act on a germ. And this seems to hold
good as regards the pollen of flowers, as is shown by a
repetition of the experiments on single dahlias. In crossing
a white with a red dahlia very few of the seedlings were

72 FERN GROWING

white (in two of the trials none were white), with equal parts of
pollen (red and white); using two parts of white pollen to one
of red did not appreciably alter the result—though crossed with
a white flower very few were white; but with six parts white
to one of red a large proportion of white seedlings was raised.
When this single dahlia was first introduced, Professor
Lawson (then director of the Oxford Botanic Gardens) gave
Mr. Joseph Sidebotham, of Manchester, seeds which produced
both white and red flowers. Mr. Sidebotham presented to the
author seeds of the white variety (called Stella bzanca), but
they did not produce even one white seedling. In the follow-
ing year the author had a division of the white variety, and,
whilst isolated, the whole of its seedlings were white. Bees
fly from flower to flower, and thus the pollen becomes
mixed ; but if only one sperm effected impregnation, we should
raise white flowering seedlings abundantly.

There appears no doubt that when impregnation has
taken place no second contact of pollen will have any effect ;
care is only required so as to be enabled to accomplish the
first contact ; after this, insects cannot produce any change.

It requires isolation to raise plants like the parent. If
we instance the white variety of Agrostemma coronarza, under
these circumstances the seedlings will be white. <Aguclegza
glandulosa, if away from all other Aquilegias, will produce
plants like the parent; but if the English Aguzlegia vulgaris
is near, a combination results, and in two or three years
there will not be a single plant raised that is true Aguzlegza
glandulosa. It is the same with other plants that freely
cross. From this cause it is now difficult to raise true plants
of Cupressus Lawsontana. Papaver alpina growing near
Papaver nudicaule is soon lost, and a mixture of the two
becomes established. This was known years ago both by Mr.
Henderson, of Wentworth, and Mr. Elworthy, of Nettlecombe
Court, and both kept Papaver alpina isolated, and thus preserved

FERN GROWING 73

this plant. Impregnation of a single germ bya single sperm
would give us a proportion of plants like the seed-bearer for
a lengthened period, instead of losing the true species in two
or three years when not isolated.

If this new fact, owing to insurmountable difficulties, has
not been seen by miscroscopical examination, the experiments
have demonstrated it mathematically; for, if we get the
combination of four varieties at once, it must prove that a
single combination of any two of these could not produce
this result: a+ 8 could only form a8, not aByd. The mixture
of blue and yellow can only be green.

DETAILS OF EXPERIMENTS.

Altogether, in the forty years, more than nine hundred
experimental sowings of spores have been made, and from
these the following have been selected as illustrations of more
than ordinary interesting results.

These experiments increased gradually; they were few
at first, but increased enormously when the fact of multiple
parentage gained credence. In one year they exceeded a
hundred, and from 1837 to 1892 nearly five hundred different
combinations of mixed spores were being carefully watched.

Occasionally the spores have either not germinated or
have been afterwards destroyed either by confervoid growth
or by want or excess of water. Altogether this destruction
has been on a very limited scale. Dr. Fox was several times
extremely unlucky, even to failing with the whole sowings of
a year.

By always sowing each combination in three or more
pans, and using different soils, there is not much chance of
failure. Germination varies materially as regards time on
different soils; it is quickest on the damp loam of a reversed

74 FERN GROWING

grass sod, and very slow on a peat surface. There is a
disadvantage, however, in the sod, as it is more apt to have
confervoid growth than is the case with peat.

Mr. Harris, at the Clifton Zoological Gardens, is very
successful ; he uses large pans, and has a very coarse material
of leaf, loam, and broken crocks; under a sheet of glass
this retains a sufficient amount of moisture for a long period.
For sowing very thickly (and this is the only way to produce
compound impregnation) the author prefers a more even
surface.

EXPERIMENT NO. I.

In 1866 the following varieties of Adiantum Capillus-Veneris
were sown together — magnificum, inctsum-Footit, Hookert,

Fig. 7.—Clorinda. Portion of frond.

rotundatum, and Padleyz, and amongst the seedlings raised
are Clorinda (Fig. 7), nobile, Lowe, and admirabile (Fig. 8).
Clorinda shows the characters of Padleyt and zuctsum-Footi2,
and admirabile that of znczsum-Foottd and Hookert; Lowe
more nearly resembles Pudleyz in its slender pinnules, but is
nearly two feet in length, and the fronds are not concave as in
Padleyt ; nobile is a modified form of admzrabite. This same

FERN GROWING 75

mixture was again sown in 1868, and similar forms to Clorinda
and admrabile were again raised, and in addition the varieties
kalon (Fig. 9) and optandum (Fig. 10). Kalon has the
characters of zucdswm-Footit, Padleyt, magnificum, and rotun-

Fig. 8.—Admirabile,

datum, whilst optandum shows the characters of HYookerz and
vrotundatum.

In 1872 a third sowing of varieties of Adzantum Capillus-
Veneris consisted of maguzficum, tncisum-Footi, and Lowe;
from these a seedling was raised named Szdy/ (Fig. 11), which

76 FERN GROWING

has the incised character of zuctsum-Footitz, and the large
pinnules of magnificum with the habit of Farleyense. A
seedling raised from SzéyZ at Nettlecombe Court is identical
with this. Besides Széy/, the author raised in the same batch
of seedlings autumnale and luminare, two varieties that are
not unlike zodz/e, the one having an erect habit, and the other
dependent fronds, while both have autumnal golden tints.

eh
VP
ce Nhe i

win Z LO GA ey | *
SN ip, Za ‘a iG

Fig. 9.—Xalon. Basal pinna,

In 1882 a fourth sowing, consisting of the varieties Daphuites,
fissum, and cornubiense, gave no seedlings of importance; only
about thirty grew to maturity, and most of these were copies
either of Daphuztes or of fissum, and only three showed the
characters of cornudbzense.

EXPERIMENT NO. II.

In 1870 five varieties of Asplenium marinum were sown
together, z.¢., capztatum, caudatum, ramo-trapeziforme, paral-

FERN GROWING 77

lelum, and ramosum ; from this mixture the following have been
raised, vamo-capitatum (a very good ramose form—Fig. 12),

Fig. 10.—Optandum. Upper half of frond,

vamosum Lowet,a stronger grower than ramosum, and admtr-
abtle, a somewhat depauperate variety with narrow pinne.

In 1879 the same varieties were again sown together, and
amongst the seedlings are ztens (a very varnished-looking

78 FERN GROWING

variety); optandum (Fig. 14), having confluent irregular
pinne, with no two alike either in form or in the incised
margin; and mautifido-trregulare (Fig. 13), with unequal-sized
pinne, some of great length, and others less than the lobes
of the larger pinne—in this variety the apex of the frond is
branched. Mr. Clapham, of Scarborough, and Mr. Monkman,
of Malton, raised varieties that in some respects were similar
to multifido-irregulare, and the former raised one almost

Fig. 11.—S7éy/, Much reduced. (See page 76.)

identical from a mixture of ¢vapeztforme and ramosum added
to parallelum.

In 1882 the author repeated these experiments of 1870 and
1879, and raised £//a having long, broad pinnz, crenate from
the base, the lowest pinnze being broadly auriculate. The
apex of the frond is bluntly caudate, if such an expression may
be used. The fronds are 11 inches long and 3 inches broad.
Kathlecn was raised at the same time; this is a smooth strap-
shaped variety, having an acute-pointed frond, ending suddenly.
The pinne are not auriculed, and are subrotund in form.

J
a
iS)
Ss

io
o
i

ia
3
3
a

Fig. 12.—Ramo-capitatum.

—Optandum, Natural size,

Fig. 14.

Fig. 13.—Multifido-irregulare, Reduced frond,

80 FERN GROWING

Length 12 inches, width 1} inch. In 1893 Mr. O'Kelly found
a variety near Ballyvaughan, that differs in having larger and
narrower pinnee, and in being crenate and caudate.

EXPERIMENT NO. III.

It has been found necessary to refer to this experiment
several times, as this was the endeavour to cross two species
to obtain a hybrid, and the result is one of botanical interest.
Illustrations are inserted with the paper on “ Hybrid Ferns”
read at Bath. (See page 18, Figs. 1, 2, and 3.)

In 1875 the spores of Aspidium angulare var. Wakely-
anum (a narrow strap-shaped cruciate variety) and Aspzazum
aculeatum var. densum (a short fronded form with crowded
pinnz) were sown together to produce a hybrid. It was
thought that if a cruciate A spzdzum aculeatum could be obtained,
this would be a convincing proof that the cross had been
acquired, as previously a cruciate variety of Aspidium aculeatum
was unknown. These plants came to maturity in 1882; the
number of seedlings slightly exceeded 1000, but all except
five were close copies of Aspidium aculeatum var. densum, or
of Aspidium angulare var. Wakelyanum; these five hybrids
had all the characters of Aspzdium aculeatum (in the stronger
consistency of the pinnz, and richer and deeper colour), but
not only this, they were a copy of the cruciate variety
Wakelyanum. This experiment was repeated in 1885; there
was a less number of seedlings (about 200), but amongst
them was a solitary strap-shaped cruciate A spzdium aculeatum,
rather more robust than the five of the former experiment.

When young, these hybrids did not show any cruciate
character, but they gradually became narrower as they in-
creased in the length of the frond, until on the seventh year
they were perfectly cruciate. The plant of the second experi-
ment is now eight years old, is as yet only partially cruciate,

FERN GROWING 81

and will require another year to enable it to wholly assume the
character.

We have in this experiment the singular fact, that instead
of raising plants with characters half-way between the two,
there is an exact reproduction of the cruciate character of the
Aspidium angulare transferred to the Asprdium aculeatum.

The great disparity in the numbers, and the strong resem-
blance to one or other of the parents in all but five of the
seedlings, point to the difficulty of producing hybrids, and ex-
plains why it is we do not find more of them.

These hybrids are copiously soriferous, and the spores
appear as naturally formed as in any other Ferns, but they
are mostly sterile, as only one in many thousands can be
made to germinate. In ten years the author sowed one
hundred pans with these spores, and as they were sown
thickly it is an under-estimation to say there were one
hundred thousand, yet not a single plant was raised. The
same ill luck attended Mr. Clapham of Scarborough, Mr.
Clift of Birmingham, Mr. Sang of Kirkcaldy, Messrs. Stans-
field of Sale, Major Cowburn of Dennel Hill, Mrs. Grant of
Hillersdon, Messrs. Pearson of Chilwell, and Messrs. Dickson
of Chester; on the other hand, the thousands of spores per-
sistently sown by Mr. Carbonell of Usk yielded nine plants ;
those by Mr. E. F. Fox of Bristol, four plants; those by
Colonel Jones of Clifton, one plant; whilst those by Mr.
Barnes of Milnthorpe produced from thirty to forty—the
amount cannot be told exactly, as most of them were returned
to Colonel Jones whilst in a young state and dispersed
amongst friends. Twelve were sent to me, and now they
have arrived at maturity only five of them turn out to be
Aspidium aculeatum, whilst there are only two at the Clifton
Zoological Gardens. At the utmost Mr. Barnes could not
have raised above ten that were true Aspzdium aculeatum,

and he must have sown above a hundred thousand spores ;
F

82 FERN GROWING

altogether, at least a million spores were sown to produce
less than thirty plants of this hybrid, or, roughly, one in four
thousand, and this is all but sterility.

These twenty to thirty children of the hybrid are also
copiously soriferous, and they differ inasmuch as ¢hezr spores
germinate freely.

EXPERIMENT NO. IV.

This is of interest, as it convinced Mr. Clapham, in 1879,
that it was an undoubted proof that Ferns could be crossed.
He had expressed himself up to this time as unconvinced,
although he had seen many of the crosses claimed by the
author from time to time for nearly twenty years.

In 1875 two Lady Ferns, Vzctorze and proteordes, were
sown together ; both are cruciate, Vzctorze having narrow lax
crested pinnz, whilst Avoteozdes has bold short dense uncrested
pinne, unequal in length, some projecting far beyond the others.

In 1879 the seedlings had become mature, showing a
complete gradation, having Vzcetorze at the one extreme and
proteotdes at the other.

Mr. Clapham saw fronds from twenty-seven of the seed-
lings. There was not a single seedling in the whole batch
that was identical either with Vzctorie or with proteozdes.
There were plants that had two-thirds more of the character
of Vuctortze@ than of proteozdes, others with those characters
reversed, and part where the characters were about equally
divided. There were some with only a trace of Vectorize, and
others that were a near approach to froteozdes.

Now had any one sperm impregnated a single germ,
a third of the plants would have been a copy of Victoria,
a third that of pvoteordes, and a third having a character
midway between the two. There could not have been a
gradual series of changes: either a greater or less number

FERN GROWING 83

of sperms must have been deposited in one or more
germs.*

Illustrations of the parents of these Ferns, in all the
experiments, will be found in their proper position in the new
edition of ‘Our Native Ferns,” and reference will hereafter
be given to their offspring.

It may be added that in 1879 a repetition of this cross
gave identical results.

EXPERIMENT NO. V.

In 1883 three varieties of Asfidium angulare were sown
together: zneguale of Padley, polydactylum of Jones, and
variegatum of Moly, half of the mixture by myself, and half
by Colonel Jones at the Clifton Zoological Gardens. The
vartegatum is normal except as regards its variegation, and
the zxeguale has normal pinne with depauperate pinnules.
The seedlings came to maturity in 1887, and, amongst the
plants, both Colonel Jones and myself raised an zneguale
that was both polydactylous and variegated.

To produce these varieties at once could only be done,
either by two different sperms acting on a single cell, or by
two cells being crossed on the same prothallus, which, by what
the author calls assimilation, may have spread the effects through
this prothallus. This would not be requisite if we assume
that more than one sperm acted on the same cell.

The above experiment brought out an interesting fact, viz.,
that it is possible to transfer variegation in these crosses.

Moly’s vartegatum sometimes bears fronds that are entirely
white, and their spores seem as perfect as possible. Major
Cowburn and the author sowed a number of pans with spores
of this, in the hope of producing plants with white fronds;
neither of us, however, succeeded in raising a single plant.

* If we assume that two or three germs had each been fertilised by only one
sperm, there would still be equal proportions of male and female characters.

84 FERN GROWING

EXPERIMENT NO. VI.

In 1885 the spores of eight varieties were mixed together,
and were sown in a number of seed pans. These were—
multifidum (crested), Victorte (cruciate), uncum (lax), Prizelle
(lunulate), ¢vwncatum (truncate), proteoddes (a cruciate with
projecting pinnz), cructpinnulum (cruciate in the pinnules),
and vamosum (branched). The seedlings became fully grown
in 1887, and proved a very interesting collection. They were
planted separately ; immediately the first frondlets began to
appear. Amongst them there was one showing three frondlets,
which when magnified were found to be spring-
ing up on one and the same prothallus (Fig.
15). This was specially labelled and placed
under a bell glass. In a few weeks there
was strength enough for division, and by the
aid of a penknife they were divided into three
plants. All grew, and when they had attained
maturity they proved a very extraordinary variety, and were
all exactly alike, perfectly dissimilar to any other previously
raised.

Fig. 15.—Magnified.

There were two kinds of fronds—one with an attenuated
apex, and the other truncate. These fronds between them
contained the characters of six out of the eight varieties sown
together, with an occasional branched frond that increased
this number to seven. The characters were not all combined,
the variations taking place in different parts of the fronds.

The remarkable characters of this variety, and the addi-
tional fact that all the three plants were alike, showed that
all must have been developed on one prothallus, that is,
three cells must have been impregnated, and also that more
than one sperm had entered these cells.

Here we have three plants exactly alike (Figs. 16 and
17), each having the characters of seven out of the eight

FERN GROWING 85

plants sown together. It is more than five thousand to one

Fig. 16.—Truncate form. Fig. 17.—Acuminate form.
Adulterum, the two forms of fronds. Much reduced.

against the production of these seven characters, whilst the pro-

mia k)6 | 6.

86 FERN GROWING

duction of three such plants very much increases these odds ;
other seedlings in the same batch had the characters of three

Fig. 18.*—Adovis, a seedling from aduléerwm. Much reduced.

)

and four of the Ferns from which the spores were gathered ;
on subsequent occasions the author has divided prothalli and
produced two plants alike from the same prothallus.

* Fig. 18 illustrates the next generation.

FERN GROWING

Fig. 20,—Aeratoides.

1.—Muricatum.

2

Fig.

All reduced.

-latum.

g. 19.—Crispum

Fi

88 FERN GROWING

EXPERIMENT NO. VII.

A spidium angulare, vars. decompositum splendens, acutilobum,
polydactylum, and plumosum superbum, were sown together,
with the idea of increasing the plumose character. These
spores were sown in 1887, and have been seven years
developing into their varietal characters. There are forty-
two seedlings, and amongst them are perhaps some of the
best British Ferns yet raised. The fronds vary in form
from triangular to almost strap-shaped; the following are
distinct :—

Ampella acutzlobed, and the apex pointed.
Athene . : ; é : ostrich-plume-like.

Cadwallon . . : ‘ acuteelobed and lax.

Cymbeline . : horizontal habit, much imbricated.
Empress q : a well-crested plumoso-divisilobum.
freia. : imbricate and very broad.

Lshtar . cuneate and pointed, and imbricate.
Isidore . , ' nearly erect fronds.

Sita. : ; : acutilobe, imbricate, and broad.
The Peri : ; ‘ much imbricated.

This list might be extended, as there are other interesting
varieties.

EXPERIMENT NO. VIII.

In 1890 Asplenitum Filix-femina vars. Howarde, Frizelle,
Ffarris@, and brachiatum were sown together. Howarde has
a normal outline, but with the pinne branching irregularly ;
Frizellg is linear, with lunulate pinne ; Harrzse, lax, slightly
crested, and pinnules revolved; and édrachiatum has brachiate
pinnules. A large number of distinct forms resulted from this
sowing, four of which have been selected, and two are illustrated
—z.¢., Ariel, which is irregularly branched and depauperate,
with here and there brachiate pinnules; Carzta, depauperate,
junulate, pinnze dependent, some of the basal pinnules brachiate,

FERN GROWING 89

and some of the pinne near the apex of the frond have
flowarde branches; Fama (Fig. 22), pinnee branches like

7a) “<r
eA BS
SOY f
P a x eRe COUTTS
rei j : Ni Soe 2
{ 8 CG tes aS) &
|
|
|
|
|
f |
+A |
+f |

Fig. 22.—Athyrium Filix-femina Fama. Reduced.

Hloward@, pinnules revolved like Harrzsz, lobes of pinnules
lunulate like /rzzel/e, and basal pinnules_ brachiate like
brachiatum, the pinne distant, and their apices as well as

90 FERN GROWING

the frond bifid; Caterina (Fig. 23), narrow, showing the in-
fluence of /77ze//e to reduce the width of the frond, branching in
the peculiar manner of Howarde, revolved
pinnules as in Ffarr?sz, and_ brachiate,
depauperate, or naked, the upper portion
most depauperated.

EXPERIMENT NO. IX.

In 1888 the spores from three varieties
of Scolopendrium vulgare were sown to-
gether, viz., crzspum-latum (a handsome
crispunt), muricatum (muricate), and £era-
tordes (a branching form). (See Figs.
19, 20, 21.) Crispum-latum is mostly
sterile, and this was the only instance in
which the author was able to gather
spores, and these were only sparingly
scattered on a solitary frond.

The seedlings became mature in 1891,
and amongst them were three muricate
crispums, one of which was branched at
the apex in the manner of eratozdes
(Fig. 24). The great interest attached to
this experiment consists in the fact that
these were the first muricate cr7spumes
that had ever been raised. Like crespam-
fatum, they have as yet been sterile.
Here again, how could a branched muri-
cate crzspum have been raised without a

Fig. 23.—Athyrium Filix-femina multiple action of sperms ?

Caterina, Much reduced.
EXPERIMENT NO. X.

In 1888 spores of a crested Mephrodium paleaceum (crista-
tum) were sown with a non-crested Nephrodium abbreviatum

FERN GROWING gi

(Cronkleyense). The plants were mature in 1891. Three of

Fig. 24.—Gerda. Reduced.

the seedlings are crested Cronkleyense. There were several
hundred plants, yet the whole of the remainder were WNe-

92 FERN GROWING

phrodium paleaceum var. cristatum; there was not a solitary
plant uncrested. As yet the author has failed to raise any
seedlings from these crested seedling plants of WV. abéreviatum.
This is evidence that Nephrodium paleaceum is a species
distinct from Nephrodium abbreviatum, thus confirming Mr.
Wollaston’s views.

We have in this experiment another proof that it requires
more than one sperm to effect impregnation, or some of the
seedlings would have been without crests.

EXPERIMENT NO. XI.

In 1888 four distinct varieties of Scolopendrium vulgare
were sown together—zndulatum (a wavy fronded Fern), spzrale
(a dwarf variety with a spirally twisted apex), murzcatum (a
muricate form), and evatozdes (a branching crested form).
(Figs. 20, 21, 25, 26.) These became mature in 1891: all
the seedlings are more congested than wxdulatum. There are
between two and three hundred plants, out of which four
unmistakably show the character of all the four parents, and
have received the names of Darwinzana, Psyche, Blosste, and
guadriparens :* they are distinct, but all are undulate, muricate,
branch-crested, the crestings being spirally twisted. The
author’s son photographed these in 1892; they are now
larger.

The greater number in this experiment show the charac-
ters of only two parents, a diminished although a consider-
able number those of three, and only four those of all
the four parents. There are none showing the characters of
only one parent. A few are much congested, being only
an inch or two in height; they are undulate and twisted in
a ball-like manner. In 1891 thirteen of these plants were
exhibited at the Royal Horticultural Society, and although

* See Figs. 27, 28, 29, and 30,

FERN GROWING 93

the Society hesitated to endorse multiple parentage, still the

Fig. 27.—Darwinianum.* Tig. 29.—Blossie.*

Fig. 28.—Psyche.* Fig. 26.—Sfirale. Tig. 30.—Quadriparens,*

* All the above are reduced. The photograph has failed to show the muricate
character of Figs. 27 to 30.

94 FERN GROWING

plants had shown so much prima-facie evidence as regards
their multiple parentage that a Silver Floral Medal was
awarded.

From the illustrations the author cannot think that any
one will doubt that all four characters have been reproduced.
This is one of the strongest evidences that all the four
parents have participated in their production.

It may be mentioned that although we produce the
combination of three or four varietal forms, none are alike,
most very dissimilar, a proof that the number of sperms
varies.

EXPERIMENT NO. XII.

In 1888 five varieties of Scolopendriums were sown
together, viz., uxdulatum, muricatum, keratotdes, spirale (Figs.
20, 21, 25, 26), and kraspedoumenon (Fig. 31) (with a ridge
near the margin, occasionally having a forked apex). These
came to maturity in 1891.

Two of the seedlings are figured. One of these, Angela
(Fig. 32), shows the characters of all five parents, being
undulate, muricate, marginate, and capitate, with twisted
divisions; the other (Fig. 33) is only muricate with twisted
undulations, and slight crest (the characters of four parents).

Four of the parents are illustrations to Experiment No.
7; the fifth, z.2., A7aspedoumenon (Fig. 31), is represented here
together with two of seedlings named Axzgela and Hydra
(Pigs, 32 and 33):

Multiple parentage is very apparent.

EXPERIMENT NO. XIII.

At the same time as spores were sown in Experiments
Nos. 7 and 8, separate pans were sown as follows with four
of the varieties used in Experiment No. 7 :—

FERN GROWING 95

Ai undulatuim sown separately.

A2 muricatwuni id.

22
plete
=O
=

ees

a
a

ARTE

eS

\

~~

aoe
Lane

SONAL

va
NeD

ENG,

x

SUS

—<
ys

Shee

: Fig. 32.—Angela. Fig. 31.—Avaspedoumenon. Fig. 33.-—//vdra.
All reduced.
A3 spirale sown separately.

Aq keratotdes id.

xe)
ON

FERN GROWING

B. undulatum mixed with spirale.

C. 5 o muricatum.

DD, a 7 keratotdes.

E. spirale ‘, muricatum.

F. _ a keratotdes.

G. muricatum ,, keratoides.

H. undulatum ,, spirale and keratozdes.

I, 55 7 muricatum and kerutoides.
K. spirale is muricatum and keratotdes.

This was to thoroughly test Experiment No. 7.

In the pans A1, Az, and A3, the seedlings were exactly
like the parents of those sown. Ag varied slightly between
Reratotdes and Vuictorze (the latter was the parent: of era-
tordes).

In the next six pans, from B. to G., two of the varieties
were sown together, and at least a thousand plants were pro-
duced. They were all comécnations of those sown in the same
pan, and no single one was exactly like either of the parents :
indeed it is very rarely that when two are sown together
(except they are different species) a plant is raised that has
evidently been solely crossed by the same variety ; and this, in
the author’s opinion, is one of the strongest points as regards
multiple sperms.

In the three pans H., I., K. were the combinations of three
varieties : most of the seedlings were only combinations of two,
a very few were combinations of three, and none were like any
one of the parents.

Why do we not find seedlings like those in the pans
marked A.? Simply because a multiple of sperms is requisite
to effect impregnation.

Singularly enough, Professor Vines, of the Oxford Botanic
Gardens, suggested that the author should make the above
experiments, without knowing that this had been done four
years previously.

VM

sso ULE TT ERMAN

in Way

‘ 77), ia ee Seen ! \ |

iE] ras ae
MCLE

f /

fi

Bs

WED Ne

WBURN.

co

MES.

OF SCOLOPENDRIUM VULGARE.

ATED VARIETIBS

(F

VARIEG

FERN GROWING 97

EXPERIMENT NO. XIV.

In 1889 three varieties of Scolopendrium vulgare were
selected, viz., crzspum (a plumose form), azgitatum (finger-
crested), and variegatum (normal but variegated), the object
being to obtain variegated varieties.

The seedlings came to maturity in 1891, and consisted
of fifty-one plants: half of these were variegated, one only
being a normal variegated one, and this was unlike the varie-
gations from which spores were sown. Most were a combi-
nation of two forms thereof, some were of all three. The
crispum used was Cowdurnz, and one of the seedlings is a
variegated copy which has been named Mrs. Cowburn, and
was thought worthy of a First-Class Certificate at the Royal
Horticultural Society’s Fern Show in 1892, and also won
the Bronze Banksian Medal as the best variegated Fern. A
very successful batch of seedlings.

This and two others, Addze and Viva, are three of the
examples. (See coloured plate.)

EXPERIMENT NO. XV.

In 1889, to the three forms of Scolopendrium vulgare,
kraspedoumenon, keratoides, and muricatum, was added sznum,
having a cup-like pocket at the apex of the frond; the
seedlings are just come to maturity, and are a most extra-
ordinary series of varieties.

The object wished was to produce branching varieties
having the cup-like appendage on each branch, this being a
desideratum. Several of the seedlings are muricate and
branched, having this pocket on each branch. Some of

the peraferens varieties are cornute; and in this collection of
G

98 FERN GROWING

seedlings there are a number that have converted this cup
into a thick muricate one, of more than an inch in length;
and in others the murications across the surface of the fronds
are minutely cupped, whilst others have in addition a mar-
ginal ridge. In some, instead of a cup, there is a rugose
rosette.

It is thought desirable to defer illustration, as this may
eventually add another link in the chain as regards multiple
parentage.

Roughly it may be said that when six varieties are sown
together, one plant in a thousand will show all the six
characters ; with four varieties, about one in two hundred;
with three, one in fifty; whilst with two, not less than. nine
hundred and fifty in a thousand.

EXPERIMENT NO. XVI.

In 1889 spores of the Asplentum Ceterach were sown
with those of the Ceterach aureum of Madeira, a representative
of our English Ceterach on a gigantic scale; these are now
of mature size, having much larger fronds than the English
species, yet much smaller than those of the Madeira form.

The author has said that hybrids are all but sterile,
and as these seedlings yield young plants as freely as the
ordinary Asplentum Ceterach, we are prepared to assert that
the two are forms of the same species.*

As a caution to those who feel an inclination to repeat
any of these experiments, the author adds that the spores
must all germinate, or, rather, the prothalli must arrive at
maturity at the same time, or a cross will not be obtained.

Spores sown after being kept months or years take a
far longer time to germinate; it is therefore obvious that

* For illustrations refer to Asplenium Ceterach var, Kalon, page 104.

FERN GROWING 99

spores from fresh-gathered fronds must not be sown with
them.

The experiments made since 1889 are very numerous,
and none of the seedlings are as yet fully grown, so that
what more there may be to say on this interesting subject
with regard to them will be deferred.

Fig. 34.—Ahedive.

EXPERIMENT NO. XVII.

In 1889 three Ferns were selected and the spores sown
together—viz., Ahedive, a seedling raised from projectum,
having prominent projections; Mosadedle, a seedling raised
from Celestinum (a narrow fimbriated form); and corade, a

100 FERN GROWING

seedling crispum raised at Shirenewton. The combination
of these three (Figs. 34, 35, and 36) has produced Deserée,
(Fig. 37), which conclusively shows the projections of Ahedrve,
the crzspun character of cora/e, and the fimbriated margin of
Rosabelle.

None of the experiments show multiple parentage more

Fig. 35.—Corale. Fig. 36.—Mosabelle,

plainly than this. There are two thousand seedlings, among
which nine are more or less like Deszree, though differing in
several respects; and amongst the remainder are other curious
forms. Although the characters of the seedlings are con-
spicuous, another year’s growth will add stature and further
developments of these characters.

FERN GROWING IOI

Another variety raised from the same batch of seedlings,

Fig. 37.— Desiree.

and named £~azue, is 14 inches by 1} inch, except where

102 FERN GROWING

there are projections, when the width is 3 inches. The
margin is well fimbriated and crisp, and the apex of the
frond is slightly crested.

EXPERIMENT NO. XVIII.

The fourth experiment explains the raising of three plants
from one prothallus of an Asplentum Frlix-femina, the variety
produced having a number of marked characters that are
identical in all three plants. These plants are all now (1894)
fully grown, and exhibit their distinctive features in a marked
manner, so exactly alike, that they represent what would occur
in dividing a fully grown specimen into three plants.

Since this time a prothallus of a Scolopendrium has pro-
duced three plants exactly alike; the variety is, moreover, quite
distinct from any other—it has a broad congested frond of
great consistency, which curls back so as to hide a muricate
elongated peraferent rosette that is formed at the apex on
the under-side; the frond is also muricate, and of a dark
green colour, and the habit is perfectly erect; in addition,
there rises from the apex of the rosette a thorn-like cor-
nution, which extends an inch above the frond, and this
also is warty or muricate. So many combined peculiarities
is certain evidence that each had sprung from the same
prothallus (see Fig. 38), under the name none. Length 5
inches, breadth 1} inch (the stipes 2} inches).

This prothallus was one from the mixture of 1889
(Experiment No. 15). It was much smaller, and has taken
longer (z.¢., five years) to develop than in most cases. It
shows the characters of all the varieties except 4eratozdes.
It, however, varies from the variety s¢zum in substituting a
rosette for the peraferentary, like a change, as it were, from
a single to a double flower, and this is either caused by

FERN GROWING 103

a germ of eratordes or of muricatum; further experiments
will show which, for this rosette-like character has been

before obtained when spores from these two varieties have
been used.

Fig. 38.—Gnone. Half size.

EXPERIMENT NO. XIX.

In 1889 three varieties of Asplentum Ceterach were sown
together, viz., multifido-cristatum, crenatum, and the normal
aureum of the Canary Isles. Amongst the seedlings are
Kalon (Fig. 40), Selim (Fig. 39), Gwen, and Sultana.

Kalon has some of the characters of aurenum and crenatum

combined, and the frond is 8 inches long and 14 inch

FERN GROWING

The pinne are large, rounded at the apex, and

104

broad.
have conspicuous, projecting crenate lobes; these are absent

in aureum.

Fig. 40.—alon.

Fig. 39.—Selim.

Gwen is large, has the fronds more lax and the colour

darker than in aureum.

Selim (Fig. 39) Fronds 3 inches long by half-an-inch

FERN GROWING 105

broad; the lobes vary in size; and the rachis divides at
two-thirds of the length of the frond, having two and
sometimes three branches that are confluent.

Sultana. Fronds 34 inches long by half-an-inch broad ;
lobes (sometimes wanting) ovate, and not crenate; and the
fronds branch near the apex, the tips being crested.

Fig. 41.—Astarte, Half size.

EXPERIMENT NO. XX.

Scolopendrium vulgare vars. Victorie, lineare, omntlacerum,
and Delessertotdes muricatum were sown together in 1889, re-
sulting in a large number of distinct seedlings. Amongst these
are—A starte (Fig. 41); this is a muricate Vecforig, and cut

106 FERN GROWING

on the margin in the same manner as owezlacerum ; and in
many parts more or less linear, having characters of all five

parents, and below the capitate head like Delesseriottes. It has

a stipes 4 inches long. Length 12 inches, width 1 inch, witha

Fig. 42.—Zara. Half size.

branching head 2} inches wide; colour dark green, and, though

muricate, is as if varnished.
Aline is a remarkable variety; stipes only 2 inches, length

of frond g inches, width the eighth of an inch, rachis with

concave marginal belt, sori marginal. The branching head is

FERN GROWING 107

very lax, 6 inches wide, and dark green in colour; there are
traces of Zineare Victoria.

Planet. Stipes 4 inches, length of frond 11 inches, width
a quarter of an inch, colour deep green, a branching apex
5 inches wide.

Eularia. Stipes 4 inches, length of frond 13 inches, width

Fig. 43.—Paulouna, Half size.

half-an-inch, colour pale green, a branching apex 7 inches
wide. The fronds are weeping from the base of the rachis.
The three latter varieties do not show the character of mzur7-
cali.

Zara (Fig. 42). Another peculiar variety—showing traces
of Victoria lineare and Delessertoides.

108 FERN GROWING

Paulovna (Fig. 43). A very lax Victorie-like form with
evident peculiarities of Aueare Victorie and Delleserioides ;
the stem is naked, and all the divisions of the capitate apex
are linear; sori marginal.

Czarina. Somewhat similar, but with an enormous head,
which is pendent.

EXPERIMENT NO. XXI.

In 1890 the following varieties of Scolopendrium vulgare
were sown together—raspedoumenon (a variety having
marginal sori), “eave (an exceedingly narrow form having
the stipes broader than the leafy portion), and £eratotdes (a
branched variety). Many of the seedlings are distinct varieties.
Arline is the best; it is 9 inches long, and only one-eighth
of an inch broad. At 3 inches from the apex the frond expands
into a much ramose head, which is 3 inches long and 6 inches
wide, with all the divisions linear ; and the sori, which is copious
both on and below the capitate head, is marginal.

EXPERIMENT NO. XXII.

There are some very curious varieties raised from this 1890
mixture of Scolopendrium vulgare. The varieties sown together
are undulatum, spirale, muricatum, cornutum, and peraferens.

Attention may be called to Puck, which is undulate, muricate,
and has a horn half-an-inch long at the apex of the frond,
which is muricate and club-like. Below the horn is a muri-
cate rosette, the divisions of which are at right angles to the
horn. The length of the frond is 4} inches, and the width
six-tenths of an inch. The stipes is 2? inches long. There is
evidence of the combination of all five parents in this variety.

A second variety (Avgza) has an arcuate horn 14 inch in
length rising from a peraferent muricate rosette which is
seven-tenths of an inch in diameter. The horn is not
muricate. The frond is a naked stipes, except the rosette.

FERN GROWING 109

A third (Zzéya) is larger, the fronds being 9 inches long
and six-tenths of an inch broad. The stipes is 5 inches long,
and the peraferent cup half-an-inch in diameter. The frond
is muricate and very rough; the cup is placed at the tip of
the frond, and at right angles to it—ze., the frond terminates
in a horizontal cup, out of the centre of which is a muricate
horn three-quarters of an inch in length.

Indra. Broad peraferent truncate variety, 6 inches by 2}
inches; the cup 14 inch wide, the upper part fringed and
horned ; it is undulate, muricate, peraferent, spiral, and cornute.

Mirza. A narrow rugose peraferent variety, 4 inches by
2} inches, the stipes being 2}inches. Below the apex is a small
double rosette in the place of the peraferent cup, and it has a
stag-like horn which branches, and one of these again branches.

EXPERIMENT NO. XXIII.

In 1890 the spores from four varieties of Scolopendrium
vulgare were sown together, viz., crzspum, muricatum, Victoria,
and spzrale, the seedlings from which were very interesting.
The following may be quoted :—

Adriana (Fig. 44), whose crisp undulations touch each
other, and whose margins of the frills are more fimbriate
than any seen by the author. The apex of the frond is
blunt, and usually of the same width as the base, and the
frills are as much on the under as on the upper portion
of the frond, causing the depth to be 24 inches on a frond
4 inches long and 2} inches broad. As yet the plant is
small, but it is rapidly increasing in size.

Beda. A muricate crzspum, dividing at the apex into acute
points. Length 8 inches, width 14 inch. .

Cornelia. Crisp and fimbriate, and expanding in the middle
of the frond into broad branch-like lobes or leafy divisions.

IIO FERN GROWING

Length 5 inches, width 1} inch, the branch-like head 4
inches wide.

Cynthia. Fringed and frilled, the frond somewhat ovate
and thin in texture. Muricate near the rachis.

Feodorovna (Fig. 45). Wavy, muricate, and spirally twisted,

Fig. 44.—Advriana, Half size.

the murication being confined to either side of the rachis.
The frilled divisions branched. Length 5 inches, width
4 inches.

Gyneth. A crtspum with a thicker consistency of frond
than usual; well fringed. Length 7 inches, width 2 inches.

FERN GROWING III

Melitza. A narrow muricate crzspum. Length 5 inches,
width 14 inch.

Mermard. Spirally frilled and reflexed. Half the width of
the frond nearest the rachis muricate for the lower half of

Fig. 45.—feodorovna, Half size.

the frond, above which it is muricate to the margin. The
apex split into a capitate muricate crest that twists back.
The consistency is thicker than is usually the case in the
crispum forms. The frills are so close together that they
overlap. The colour is a rich green, Length 10 inches, of

T12

which the stipes is

FERN GROWING

inches; width 3 inches. In this variety

are the characters of all the four parents.

Fig. 46.—Csarina.

Ruthella. A very promising cv7spum.
Length 64 inches, width 2 inches.

Zoflora. Frilled and fringed, the frills
broad and reflexed, the apex pointed.
The lobes at the base are large, well
fringed, and fimbriate, and _ spirally
twisted, extending half-an-inch beyond
the twisted part of the frond. Length
74 inches, of which 3 inches is the
stipes ; breadth 2 inches.

After another year’s growth the
above will be a great addition to the
crispum section. There are also forty-
two other seedlings, most of which are
too small to show their true characters.

EXPERIMENT NO. XXIV.

In 1891 the spores from four well-
known varieties of Asplentum Frlix-
fenina were sown together—z.e., uncum,
a lax form; grammecon, a linear and
somewhat lunulate variety; Harrzse,
revolved and minutely crested; and
Victorte, cruciate, with a peculiar small
crest. The seedlings vary from the
width of Vzetort@ to that of the linear
forms. The following are some of the
The form of

grammicon, with short Vrctori@ pinne.

most distinct :-—Cedleste.

Csarina (Fig. 46) has the normal form of V7c¢ori@, yet more

lax, and the pinne and pinnules linear.

FERN GROWING 113

Flortensia. Very \ax, with the general characters of Yarrise,
especially in the revolved pinnules ; the crest is that of V7ctorze.

Fig. 47.—Acesia. Pig. 48.—Zzrona, Fig. 49.—Thutle.
Reduced. Reduced. Reduced

Kesta (Fig. 47). Linear, pinnee linear and approximate, and
H

114 FERN GROWING

short as in grammzcon, also cruciate ; the apical crest like that
of Victorie.

o4

Cares

Fig. 50.—f/ebe. Much reduced.

Thule (Fig. 49). Narrow, lax, with the upper portion linear,
and having a V7ctorve crest.

FERN GROWING ETS

Tirona (Fig. 48). Narrow and lax near the base, cruciate
and broader about two-thirds of the distance up the frond,
then linear, with a Vzctori@ crest.

There are a number of intermediate forms between the
two extremes, many of them, as in all the four figured, having
the peculiar apical crest of Victorze.

Flebe (Fig. 50). This variety differs greatly from the other
seedlings. It is much larger, and is more crested and cruciate.
The basal half of the frond is exceedingly lax; the pinnz having
large apical crests, and the pinnules cruciate and lunulate; the
basal pinnules being brachiate, with crested tips. Higher up
there are two or three pairs of pinne that are crested and
cruciate with revolved lobes; still higher it has a combination
of the characters of grvammicon and Victorie; and the crested
apex is quite a combination of characters—the various ter-
minations of the branches being crested like Vzctorze.

EXPERIMENT NO. XXV.

In 1891 spores from four varieties of Scolopendrium vutl-
gare were sown together, viz., undulatum (wavy), projectum
(having marginal projections), sagzttatum (normal, with sagittate
base), and Vzctorze (with much branched, shining fronds). As
soon as the prothalli began to show frondlets, the whole
were transplanted singly where they could be easily divided.
Amongst these prothalli, one had two frondlets, and this
prothallus was divided into four, two divisions of which were
as yet frondless. All four grew, and by June 1894 had fronds
six inches in length: they are all alike, and a distinct variety
showing more or less the characters of all four parents. The
fronds are somewhat narrow, shining, with the base shortly
but conspicuously sagittate, and the apex capitate; along the
margins are numerous pointed projections. The frond is wavy,

iT FERN GROWING

but not as much so as in uxdulatum. This variety has been
christened Agneta.

The present example is the fourth undeniable instance
of split prothalli, having the plants of each division exactly
alike ; therefore it may be assumed that the impregnation of
more than one female cell must by assimilation have spread
over the whole prothallus, ze., the effect of the impregnation
of the several cells must have affected the whole of the impreg-
nated cells of the prothallus, or all the plants could not have
been alike. It may be mentioned that in more than a hundred
seedlings raised in this experiment, no other was like Agneta.

EXFERIMENT NO. XXVI.

In 1891 Asplentum Trichomanes
var. Zroggyense was sown with a
capitate form (Zroggyense is incised,
and has imbricated pinne), the object
being to produce an imbricated capi-
tate variety. Most of the seedlings
are more or less branched at the
apex, but scarcely imbricate: one of
the seedlings, however, had the apex
slightly imbricate, and the somewhat
large ramose head is joined in a con-
fluent mass. This has received the
name of Centaur (Fig. 51).

Fig, 51.—Centaur. Half size.

EXPERIMENT NO. XXVII.

In 1891 a mixture of the spores of Scolopendrium vulgare
vars. marginatum, digitatum-crispum, muricatum, omnilacerum,
and Mr. Moly’s crested projectum were sown together, and
amongst other seedlings are—

FERN GROWING 117

ariel, which is marginate, digitate-crested, slightly muri-
cate, and has marginal projections.

Lolah, slightly muricate, digitate, digitately crested, and
has a conspicuous sagittate base and marginal projections.

Mariette (Fig. 52), which is digitate, crisp, and has crested
projections.

52.—Afariette. Halt size.

Mithra, digitately crested, crisp, muricate, and has crested
projections.
EXPERIMENT NO. XXVIII.

This is the experiment marked No. 11, repeated in 1891,
and many of the seedlings are very similar to those before

118 FERN GROWING

raised, yet some have a stronger constitution, and are more

Fig. §3.—Cora. Half size,

pronounced in their characters ; two of them are figured, viz :—

Fig. 54.—Nina. Half size.

Cora (Fig. 53), having the characters of all the four

FERN GROWING 119

parents, although the branching is scarcely more than an
attempt.

Nina (Fig. 54), muricate, undulate, branching, and has
spirally twisted lobes.

At the same time spores from Darwiniana, guadriparens,
Psyche, and Slosste were each sown in separate pans, and

‘

Fig. 55.—Lorna. Full size.

the seedlings raised are like the variety sown, with scarcely
an exception.

Lorna (Fig. 55), undulate, muricate, with a crested apex of
enormous size.

EXPERIMENT NO. XNIX.

Nephrodium Fitix-mis. Three of Mr. Moly’s distinct
varieties were sown together in August 1892: these were

120 FERN GROWING

his Osmunda-looking variety, his prominent-veined, and his
lax form. The plants are now growing rapidly, and will
soon show their permanent characters.

EXPERIMENT NO. XXX.

Aspleniune Ceterach. A mixture of the varieties vamoso-
cristatum, kalon, lineare, and aureum was sown on October
10, 1892, and the seedlings are beginning to show remarkable
peculiarities. A repetition of this experiment was made in
November 1893, but the seedlings are as yet only emerging
from the prothalloid condition.

EXPERIMENT NO. XXXI.

Scolopendrium vulgare. Four varieties were sown together
in November 1892, viz., marginatum, erosum, Mrs. Grant's
form of crispum, and Mr. Fox’s fimbriatum. The seedlings
are as yet small.

EXPERIMENT NO. XXXII.

Osmunda regalis. This mixture, which consisted of the spores
of grandiceps, revolvens, interruptum, and the exotic species
gracile and spectabile, was sown on August 7, 1893, and the
seedlings are now producing frondlets.

EXPERIMENT NO. XXXIII.

Scolopendrium vulgare. Ten distinct varieties were sown
together on August 31, 1893. The seedlings are as yet in
the prothalloid condition.

EXPERIMENT NO. XXXIV.

Lomaria Spicant. Spores of Azreyz-serratum were mixed
with those of a crested and of a capitate variety, and sown on
September 20, 1893. As yet the seedlings are in the pro-
thalloid state.

FERN GROWING 12%

EXPERIMENT NO. XXXV.

Polypodium vulgare. A mixture of the spores of varieties
forsteri, bifido-cristatum, trichomanotdes, marginatum, ramosum,
omnulacerum, semtlacerum, brachiatum, and Saltez (caudate) was
sown on September 20, 1893. The seedlings are showing
character, and there is evidence of multiple parentage and great
variety of form.

EXPERIMENT NO. XXXVI.

Nephrodium montanum. Spores of the following varieties
were sown together on October 20, 1893, viz., a crested, a
linear, a crisp, and a depauperate form. As yet they are in
the prothalloid state.

EXPERIMENT NO. XXXVII.

Asplenium marinum. Five varieties were sown together
on October 21, 1893, and the seedlings are now showing very
varied fronds.

EXPERIMENT NO. XXXVIII.

Aspidium angulare. On September 21, 1893, leneatum,
fiabellrfolium (seldom fertile), revolvens, and teda, with hybridum,
were mixed and sown. The seedlings are yet small.

EXPERIMENT NO. XXXIX.

Asplenium Frlix-femina. A mixture of the following
varieties was sown on September 21, 1893—V2ctori@, aba-
stlobum, reflexum, a crested Vernone, and deficzens. The plants
are as yet quite small.

EXPERIMENT NO. XL.
Scolopendrium vulgare. A mixture of the spores of a
capitate, a muricate, a crispum, a variegated crispum, a
projectum, a pinnate, and a variegated branched form was

122 FERN GROWING

sown on September 21, 1893, and the spores are now passing
from the prothalloid to the frond-life condition.

EXPERIMENT NO. XLI.

Nephrodium Filix-mas varieties cristatum of Wills, laxum
of Moly, and moustrosum of Stabler; MV. abbreviatum varieties
gracile, capitatum, and erosum; and N. paleaceum varieties
cristatum and laxum were sown together on September 23,
1893, but as yet are small.

EXPERIMENT NO. XLII.

Asplenium Frlix-femina. The spores of six varieties were
mixed and sown on October 13, 1893, and are now progress-
ing rapidly.

EXPERIMENT NO. XLIII.

Nephrodium spinulosum. A crested and a very slender form
were sown together on October 13, 1893, and are now ger-
minating.

EXPERIMENT NO. XLIV.

Nephrodium paleaceum var. cristatum and N. abbreviatum
var. evosum were sown together on October 23, 1893, and are
now germinating.

EXPERIMENT NO. XLV.

Scolopendrium vulgare. A mixture consisting of guadrt-
parens, spirale, capitatum, muricatum, variegatum, and a narrow
marginate variety was sown on October 27, 1893, and are
now producing fronds.

EXPERIMENT NO. XLVI.

Aspidium angulare. Eight varieties were sown together
on December 5, 1893, and are now germinating.

FERN GROWING 123

EXPERIMENT NO. XLVII.

Fig. 56.—The manner in which a prothallus was divided,

DivIDING THE PROTHALLI.

Spores were sown thinly in the autumn of 1887,* so as to
produce vigorous prothalli that would allow a division into
two, three, or four parts. In 1888 a number of these were
cut with a sharp knife, some into two, and others into four
parts; the experiment was successful, as nearly every division
grew, for if divided where there were no rootlets some soon
formed when under bell-glasses. Twenty-five prothalli were
quartered, and nearly a hundred plants were obtained, but
although they grew into sturdy little tufts (much more
bush-like than the prothalli that had not been divided), still
they bore no fronds, nor did they until these quarters were
planted in pairs so as to overlap each other, and then a large
proportion formed fronds; those that did not throw up fronds
had other divisions planted against them, and by 1892 they
could all be potted off as young plants, and a portion had even
become mature plants.

* In the experiments made in quartering prothalli in 1887, those recorded as
Nos. 16, 20, 29, 31, 312, 316 to 320, 323, 328, 331, 332, 340, and 343 were unmistak-
ably conclusive ; and where two plants were seen that apparently sprang from the
same prothallus (before being divided), in Nos. 10, 12, 54, 90, 92, and 330 (when
they had attained maturity),-the plants from the same prothallus in all these six
cases were exactly alike.’ These being repetitions are not further mentioned.

124 FERN GROWING

The author has mentioned that some of the quarter
divisions of one prothallus were purposely allowed to grow,
without putting other divisions to them, in order to ascertain
how long they could live in the prothalloid state. All were
alive in February 1892 (four years after they had been
divided). These four divisions hed been planted in a half-
pint flower-pot, at the distance of an inch apart, and were
kept damp by the use of a bell-glass.) They have also been
repotted every year. In February 1892 they were unhealthy,
and the author determined as they were being repotted to
place two of them as closely together as possible, in order to
ascertain whether there was any sexual life remaining, and
in July three distinct frondlets appeared, which are now
strong plants. The two remaining divisions were again re-
potted in February, and they are now stronger than they
were last year. On October 7, 1892, they had been divided
four and three-quarter years, and as they had germinated
nearly six months before being divided they had then lived
more than six years in the prothalloid state.

This experiment proves that the male and female organs
are widely separated from each other, and that either male or
female organs were on every quarter of the prothallus, but
never both on the same. None of these quarters, therefore,
were or could be impregnated until a second had been planted
in close proximity ; and when two quarters, both having only
one sex, were placed together, they still remained in the same
prothalloid condition, and this could only be ascertained from
the circumstance that when other quarters were moved close
to them, then these sent up frondlets, and in one instance
four plants resulted. It also shows that unless impregnated
they can live at all events for seven and a half years, and
even then are able to be impregnated and to put on their
frond life. It is also another proof that more than one cell
can be impregnated.

FERN GROWING 125

Altogether these experiments have been remarkably suc-
cessful, for the different varieties raised were obtained in the
identical manner formulated before they had an existence.
The anxiety, labour, and attention have been great, and the
time occupied has been half a lifetime, but in the success
gained there has been ample reward.

On October 15, 1893, one of the two remaining portions
of the split prothalli that had been more than six years without
putting on frond life at length threw up a frondlet. How
this has happened it is impossible to say; there was not
another prothallus within several feet of it, and moreover it
has always been under a sheet of glass. It can only be
conjectured that sperms have by some means been conveyed
from a distance (probably clinging to an insect, for a small
insect, Podura plumbea or skipjack,* was noticed, which might
have been there for some time, as the plant had not been
examined for three weeks owing to the author’s illness).
In the hundred examples of split prothalli such impregna-
tion had never before occurred. The prothallus is as healthy
now as ever, showing no signs of that decay which is apparent
when frondlets form. In its present infantile condition it is not
possible to say further than that, like the mother-cell, this is
a Scolopendrium. There is, however, in this new fact, proof
against those generally conceived views as regards how im-
pregnation of the prothallus takes place. It may be some
other method of growth, though the author attributes it to

* It is not only an important fact that the SKIPJACK can convey sferms from the
antheridia to the archegonia, and by this means the odsphere becomes fertilised, but
by placing a skipjack amongst prothalli having only archegonia, 1e., female cells,
and allowing it to remain there for only twenty-four hours, we are able to ascertain
within a few hours when impregnation must have taken place, and by afterwards
watching for the appearance of frondlets we can further know the period required
between impregnation and the development of fronds. In this instance frondlets
were seen on the fourteenth day, but they were certainly two or three days old when
detected, therefore this period is probably twelve days.

126 FERN GROWING

the skipjack. On April 2, 1894, this portion of a divided
prothallus, being in a healthy condition, was for the second
time cut into four divisions, three of which are growing
vigorously, and now, January 7, 1895, are seven and a half
years old and still frondless.

It used to be held that it was impossible for the male
organs of a Fern to move from one prothallus to another,
as in bursting from the cell they had no projectile force ;
but as soon as it was acknowledged that Ferns could be
crossed, this assumption of inability of the spermoid to travel
to another prothallus received its death-blow.

The experiments with regard to dividing the prothallus have
disclosed a new method of Fern propagation, for it is easy to
multiply the varieties whilst in the prothalloid condition. There
is, however, one fact to be ascertained, it is as to how far this
can be done, so as to have the organs of generation on each
division. If these organs were not present, however much the
prothallus might grow, there would never be any fronds pro-
duced. In order to test this, the author has cut off two portions
of the prothallus that had been in that condition since January
1888 ; these have been planted under a bell-glass, and are now
growing. There would be no uncertainty in a simple division,
as it could be so cut as to have the male and female organs
on both divisions. Each division of a divided prothallus
seems to grow as rapidly as the undivided one, and indeed,
since these portions have been cut off, the parent prothallus
has itself had an increased luxuriance. Some time ago this
prothallus was very sickly, and had the appearance of being
in a dying state, but it was repotted, and in two months had
become healthy and had doubled its size. The undivided
prothallus is more or less of a kidney shape, but, when divided,
it throws out a number of extensions in all directions, these
numerous folds giving it a more bush-like appearance. Of
course it requires skill and patience, as well as experience

FERN GROWING 127

and watchfulness, in order to be successful. If the divisions
are not made with a sharp penknife, the soil kept at a proper
moisture, and any confervoid grown on the surface removed,
as well as the bell-glass kept clean, disappointment may result ;
in short, in the earlier stages a day’s neglect might prove
fatal.

A prothallus that had been divided into four parts in
January 1888, and which, on October 15, 1893 (nearly six
years afterwards), had developed a frondlet, after having for
all this long period remained in the prothalloid state, was
treated in a different manner; that portion of the prothallus
on which the frondlet was formed was immediately cut off
with a sharp knife and replanted, and this is growing vigo-
rously. The remainder of the prothallus after this separation
at once considerably increased its size and strength, so much
so that in January 1894 several portions were cut off, and the
divisions replanted, and they are now growing. It is still a
question as to how long life can be sustained in the prothalloid
state. It is now seven years since this prothallus was divided
into four portions: two of these developed fronds several years
ago; the other two are still in the prothalloid state, though one
had produced a frondlet, as before mentioned, on one portion
which had been severed from it.

It requires the greatest attention to keep a small prothallus
in health: if neglected, and the soil became dry, it would die in
a few hours, and if confervoid growth were allowed to grow on
the surface of the soil, this would soon destroy it. Having to
be kept damp under a bell-glass, conferva will continually
appear, unless the surface is moved (with the point of a knife)
every few days; then again, young worms get under the glass
and throw up mounds of earth, and when this is the case the
prothallus has to be repotted in fresh soil that has been
previously placed in boiling water, in order to destroy all
animal and vegetable life.

128 FERN GROWING

In planting the divided portions of a prothallus or prothalli
they should always be cut in the same manner, and this is not
difficult to accomplish, provided they are not growing thickly
together. The upper halves should be kept in one pan, and the
lower halves in another, for by this precaution the author has
found that no male organs have shown themselves in the
former, or female organs in the latter. (Fig. 59, p. 130.)

One of the experiments to test whether the skipjack could
impregnate a prothallus may now be described. Portions of
prothalli having only female cells were planted in a pan and
protected by an inverted wine-glass ; outside this, other portions
having only male organs were then planted ; and the whole were
enclosed under a tight-fitting bell-glass. Skipjacks were intro-
duced into the outer portion, and a few days afterwards the
wine-glass was removed, and the skipjacks allowed to move
freely amongst all the prothalli, and several weeks later fronds
began to appear. A second pan was planted with prothalli
having both male and female organs, though on separate por-
tions ; these were planted half-an-inch apart, and kept covered
with a bell-glass for three months, but no fronds were formed ;
but after the introduction of the skipjacks, it was soon apparent
that impregnation had taken place. It is a striking fact
that both the male and female organs have remained in a
condition to propagate their species after remaining in the
prothalloid state for seven and a half years.

On looking closely into the circumstance of how the spores
of four varieties can be made to produce a plant having the
characters of all four, it seems that this might be attained by
the male organs of three varieties each impregnating a separate
cell; these cells, being on the same prothallus, may by assimila-
tion commingle the characters, and a single sperm in each cell
might produce the result; but this would not produce that
graduation of characters which has been so frequently shown—we
should not raise plants, some having a slight trace, and others a

FERN GROWING 129

pronounced one, of each character. If we suppose a slight trace
of any one character to be the result of impregnation by any
one sperm, then where the character is more pronounced it is
equally fair to assume that this is the result of a number of
sperms having that character, and that a varying number
of male sperms entering into each cell has been the cause
of the various differences.

Taking a deduction of the evolution of sex, it may be stated
that the preponderance of the number of males over females
seems to hold good both in the animal and vegetable kingdoms.
The author has found the proportion of males to females in the
yew as 107 to 100, in the aucuba as 123 to 100, in calves as 116
to 100. Statistics show the excess of male over female children.
In making any deductions, this excess has to be accounted for.
It is only safe to take an average of a series of years, for the
numbers differ in different years. Amongst cattle the author
has known as many as ten males to one female, and vice versd;
also that some years produce many more twin calves than the
average ; this is well known with sheep.

Having proved that an excess of male pollen from a pink-
flowered Dahlia when applied to a single white Dahlia will
produce an increase in the number of white seedlings (for we
may call the seed-bearer the female), the next step has been the
endeavour to find out the true cause of determination of sex.
An experiment has been made with a dicecious plant, z.e., having
unisexual flowers of the same species that are produced on
distinct individuals. In this experiment an excess of pollen
has been used in crossing an aucuba, but time will be required
to grow the seedlings to maturity. This experiment may
enable us to obtain proof as regards the evolution of sex from
experimental observation without the aid of the microscope.

Nature assists in overcoming difficulties in various ways,
and throughout the vegetable kingdom we are familiar with the
help given to certain flowers by insects.

130 FERN GROWING

By constant attention to young Ferns in the first stages
of their frondlet and frond life, the author became aware in
1887 that when the fronds were under a bell-glass the cooling
process at night caused a tiny glittering star to appear at
the tips of all the veinlets* (Fig. 57); a close examination
showed this to be perspiration through the pores of the
veinlets. Gradually the drop became larger, till it slipped
on the frond and joined another drop until it finally de-
scended to the base of the frond. Now these same glittering

Fig. s9.—Fern Prothallus showing (except in rare cases) the positions
- of the Antheridia (A) and the Archegonia (B). The sexes will be
8. 57- on different divisions if the prothallus is cut along the dotted line.

stars were also seen in abundance on the prothalli (Fig. 58),
and the fact appeared to be one deserving record. The
author sent a report to Professor Bower for insertion in
the “Annals of Botany,” but before it could be printed it
had been announced as a new German discovery. Now this
is one means of transporting sperms from one _prothallus
to another, as drops were seen that bridged over two pro-

* This had a strong resemblance to the star-like glittering of the luminous moss
(Schistostega pinnata), a minute moss found in the Nottingham sandstone caves, and
in much greater abundance on coal shale near Todmorden.

FERN GROWING 131

thalli. Other means, however, were also apparent: the tiny
offspring of the plant louse, and several other insects, and also
minute worms were seen to be constantly moving amongst
the prothalli that were covered with a sheet of glass;
whilst confervoid growth and minute mosses made a network
between one prothallus and another, and these evidences
were pointed out by the author at a time when the diff-
culties to be overcome were reasons given for the sperm
being confined to its own prothallus. The question of an
occasional submergence of the prothallus by water, which a
few drops of rain could accomplish, would be another means ;
the sperms would float on the surface, and on this flood
subsiding would perhaps find themselves deposited on another
prothallus. A consideration of these conditions may assist in
explaining why wild varieties are comparatively rare.

Instead of a single individual having to give his solitary
experience, had not death prematurely put an end to a large
number of experiments that were being made by Colonel
Jones, Mr. Carbonell, Mr. E. F. Fox, Major Cowburn, Mr.
Barnard Hankey, and Mr. Clapham, there would have been
added much experience and more confirmatory evidence.
With regard to Colonel Jones, all his seedlings came into
the author’s possession, each experiment being numbered as
agreed upon, but unfortunately his book of reference could
not be found. Mr. Carbonell’s plants went to the Royal
Gardens, Kew; but although Mr. Thiselton Dyer, the Director,
kindly sent the author Mr. Carbonell’s books, there are no
notes that are of any practical service, as they are simple
references for his own use. Mr. Fox’s books were also pre-
sented to the author by his daughter; in them every experi-
ment has been carefully recorded, but they have a vast number
of useless remarks stating that confervoid growth, &c., had
destroyed the seedlings, and in one instance every experiment
during a certain year. Major Cowburn had also numbered his

132 FERN GROWING

vast collection of pans of seedlings, but his reference-book
has not been found. Mr. Barnard Hankey, from ill health,
had done but little of late years; and Mr. Clapham, after he
left Scarborough for London, had also very much curtailed his
investigations.

Although much important information has been so generally
lost, there are some very fine varieties coming to maturity. It
is a sad fatality that has deprived us of the aid of six very able
Pterologists, who were repeating one or other of the author's
experiments, and who were also growing a portion of his
numerous seedlings. Colonel Jones, Major Cowburn, and Mr.
Fox all lived near, and could therefore watch each other’s
labours and take advantage of each other’s ideas.

Another misfortune has curtailed some of the author’s
experiments, both this year and last, for much _ illness
compelled him to leave the care of the young Ferns
to others, sometimes for days, and even weeks; the loss
has been less than might be expected, but the delay in re-
potting has retarded their growth, and plants that should
have come to maturity this year are still (many of them) in
their seed pans.

Summarising the evidence of these experiments, an apt
illustration of its conclusiveness may be found in the calcu-
lations of Mr. Maunder on a perfectly different subject.

Mr. Maunder has pointed out that “during the last nine-
teen years the three pre-eminent magnetic storms have been
associated with the appearance of the three greatest spot
groups of that period, near the central meridian of the sun’s
disc. The probability against such a connection being the
result of chance is enormous. The number of days is
six thousand eight hundred; but if we give two days for
each spot at the central meridian, the probabilities against
three agreements of three thousand four hundred are over-
whelming. Take two boxes, and put all the numbers from

FERN GROWING 133

one to three thousand four hundred into each. The problem
is to determine the probability that three numbers drawn
haphazard from each box will give the three highest from
each.” Now if we apply this same reasoning to what has
been done in multiple parentage, it seems equally certain that
these varieties have not been raised haphazard.

The same results have followed each experiment, so that
instead of this probability being confined to one case, we
have every separate experiment to bring into the calculation.
This reasoning may not be usual with Botanists, but it is
mathematically correct. How many microscopical observations
have been considered to have proved certain facts, and yet
how many of these facts have had to be discarded on account
of subsequent microscopic investigation? It seems to the
author that microscopic research may not succeed to a remote
decimal of the truth with any more certainty than by
mathematical reasoning in such difficult cases as those we
are now considering. Watching the various movements in
the impregnation and germination of Ferns, which must be
so much hidden by the folds of a cluster of prothalli, and
also in keeping them alive and in health during such a severe
trial, and being fortunate enough to be able to examine that
one prothallus in a thousand that was able to produce multiple
parentage, is almost like the calculation of an eclipse of the
sun, from the three bodies moving through space at different
speeds, in order to arrive at the exact time when all three
will be in one and the same straight line. It may be done,
and accomplished satisfactorily by one of our specialists ; but
the probability of being able to examine the identical pro-
thallus whose female cell is about to receive sperms from
several other prothalli is so remote that but few microscopists
will venture on such an investigation.

The mode of reproduction varies with different animals
and plants. In the higher classes of animals almost perfect

134 FERN GROWING

development takes place before the birth of offspring. In
birds, eggs are laid, and the mother keeps them warm until
they hatch. The toad deposits eggs in water, these develop
into tadpoles, and after a time become young toads. The
butterfly brings forth eggs, from which caterpillars issue,
change to the chrysalis state, and afterwards emerge as fully
grown butterflies. Fish deposit a mass of ova, which are
afterwards fertilised. The slug is hermaphrodite, each pair of
individuals laying eggs. Bees are male, female, and workers ;
and passing down to near the bottom of the scale, we have
amongst protozoa, &c., a simple reproduction by the breaking
of the individual into fragments.

In plants, flowers are formed, having male and female
organs (stamen and pistil), which eventually produce seeds.
These flowers may be dicecious, z.¢., unisexual flowers of the
same species produced on distinct individuals, as in the yew
(where we have male and female trees) ; if moncecious, the two
kinds of unisexual flowers are on the same plant, as in the
cucumber ; but there are a vast number of the species in various
genera that are hermaphrodite, where the stamens and pistils
are present within the same perianth, as in the cowstp.
Descending in the scale, we have Ferns forming spores on the
fronds, which germinate into prothalloid life, having the organs
of generation that reproduce the frond life showing a double
existence. It is not therefore difficult to conceive that we
have here a distinct arrangement of hermaphrodite reproduction,
or the spore growth (prothallus) having a number of archegonia
(female cells), each containing a central cell (odsphere), and a
number of antheridia (male cells) filled with spermatozoids.
Why should not more than one of these archegonia attract
swarms of spermatozoids, and, all being on the same pro-
thallus, why may not this effect be diffused through the
whole prothallus by assimilation, and thus cause multiple
parentage?

FERN GROWING 135

ADDITIONAL EXPERIMENT NO. XLVIII.

On October 12, 1894, a pan (marked A) was planted with
prothalli of a Scolopendrium, and on November 12 a second
(marked B); the plants are a quarter of an inch apart, and are
carefully protected from insects. On the 25th of January no
fronds had been formed, but the prothalli in A were much
larger than those in B. On that day several skipjacks were
introduced into B. On February 11th every prothallus in B
had formed fronds, whilst those in A were still in the pro-
thalloid condition. In both pans the prothalli would have male
and female organs, as they were undivided; nevertheless the
skipjacks have accelerated the formation of fronds.

DEDUCTIONS AND PRACTICAL HINTS.

Granting that the certainty of multiple parentage is difficult
of microscopic proof, owing to the practical impossibility of
seeing through the microscope what really occurs, this absence
of actual observation is far from justifying a refusal to accept
conclusions otherwise abundantly established by experiments
which show that the offspring bear unmistakable resemblance
to all the parents.

Independently of the microscope, what are the reasonable con-
clusions established by these numerous experiments? Briefly :—

1st.—That more than one female cell on a Fern pro-
thallus is capable of producing Ferns.

2nd.—That more than one spermatozoon has assisted in
the impregnation of one or more of these cells.

3rd.—That a prothallus can be divided into four, and
each portion can produce a separate plant.

4th.—That in quartering a prothallus there is evidence
that the organs of only one sex are retained on each of these
quarters.

136 FERN GROWING

5th.—That until two of these quarters are brought close
enough to each other so as to coalesce, there can be no
impregnation.

6th.—That if two of these quarters have thus been brought
together without frond life resulting, each must have had the
organs of one sex only.

7th.—That if afterwards a third quarter is made to coalesce
with the former ones, and impregnation then takes place, the
last quarter must have had the organs of the opposite sex.

8th—That these ¢hvee quarters having produced jive
plants, more than a single cell on one or other of these
quarters must have been impregnated; if not, two of these
quarters certainly will have contained only the male organs.*

gth.—That the divisions of a divided prothallus can live
more than seven years if unimpregnated.

1oth.— That if three or four varieties have been sown
together and some of the resulting seedlings have the pecu-
liarities of all the parents, the male sperms will have travelled
to a different prothallus.

11th.—That these last results are not the effect of a
previous cross, for two reasons—first, because the resemblances
are confined to those varieties sown together; and secondly,
that the seedlings, no matter of how many generations of
crosses, if sown singly, will only produce the likeness of the
Fern sown.

There is one question worthy of consideration to which
these experiments give rise, it is this, two or more cells on
the same prothallus have become impregnated. Will this
cause assimzlation? Will the effects produced in each cell
become commingled? If so, instead of a cell requiring the

* Asa matter of fact two had only female cells, and only one, male organs. This
was ascertained by seeing two plants springing up from one division, three from
another, and none from the third, the one which had been placed so as to coalesce
with the others.

FERN GROWING 137

sperms from three distinct varieties to produce the characters
of four parents, sperms from three varieties might be deposited
in three separate cells, and assimilation produce the same result.

A few words must be said with respect to the best
method of sowing spores. There are many ideas on this
subject. The late Mr. John Smith of the Royal Gardens,
Kew, had a rough and ready plan, always available at a
moment’s notice. He had a short plank of wood, coated with
an inch of a moist stiff clay, which he kept in a damp
frame. His plan was to scatter spores in this frame, saying
a sufficient quantity would settle on the board to produce a
crop. This plan, however, is not adapted for isolated sowings.
Mr. G. B. Wollaston of Bishop’s Well, Chislehurst, furnished
Mr. Fox of Brislington with the following recipe: ‘ Leaf
mould or well-rotted dung from an old cucumber bed (three
years old), one part ; top spit or healthy loam, one part ; heath
mould (not bog earth), one part. Mix well together, adding
enough silver sand to make the whole thoroughly friable.
Brickbat pulverised is an excellent addition to the sand,
or even road dust (avoid lime rubble in any form). The
above compost suits Ferns of all ages, and forms a good top
dressing.” Mr. Wollaston advises early pricking out from
spore-pans, as of great importance—not singly, but in small
patches at first, so as to give room for development. Mr.
E. F. Fox described his method: ‘Procure a good-sized bell-
glass, also a large pan without any drainage holes at the
bottom, in which the bell-glass may fit easily; procure a
number of small pots sufficient to fill up the area enclosed
by the glass when it is placed on the said pan. Make up
a soil for the pots consisting of a little loam, sand, and leaf
mould, with a trifle of good peat and some crushed-up old
brick. Fill the small pots one-third full with drainage-
crocks ; place a little moss on the top of the crocks; then fill

138 FERN GROWING

up with your soil; press it down gently and firmly. See
that there is a small space left within the inner side of the
pan and the bell-glass—this is for the purpose of putting
some packing between the glass and the pan.

‘Having filled the small pots, place them on a sieve,
then water them thoroughly with docling water from a common
watering-pot with a fine rose; repeat this application, then
allow them to drain and get cool. When cold, bring them
into a room, and be sure to have no open windows, that
there may be no draughts of air, as the atmosphere must
be quite still. Take each pot separately and away from the
others, /ade/ it, and powder the spores over it. (V.4.—It is
of course known that good spores are most prone to adhere
to the paper enclosing them, whilst mere spore-cases run
over and away from the paper with facility.) When all your
pots are sown and labelled, arrange them in the pan, and
place the bell-glass over them, being careful in so doing not
to disturb the soil. When you have placed the pan in some
shady place, take a good, clean, and damp sponge, tear it
up, and pack it between the bell-glass and the pan. These
pieces of sponge must be kept just full of water that has
been boiled and allowed to get cold; the quantity of water
constantly added will draw underneath the surface of the
pots and supply them with sufficient moisture; be careful at
all times not to flood the pan. This use of boiling water is
for the destruction of all animal and vegetable life, thus
giving room for the spores to make their growth undisturbed.
Never remove the bell-glass for three or four months. You
will see a gradual appearance of growth spreading over the
surface of the pots, and some time after this minute fronds ;
"you may then insert a bit of slate beneath the glass, and
this is the first air they get; increase the allowance of air,
and eventually remove the bell-glass. Never water overhead
until the growth is considerable, or the Ferns will damp off.”

FERN GROWING 139

Colonel Jones used very large pans, a similar but much
coarser compost, and covered with a flat glass. This proved
more successful than the plan adopted by Mr. Fox. There is
less confervoid growth; and if the prothalli are attached to
pieces of crock or lumps of soil, they can more readily be
removed to other pans.

Dr. Fox’s method as regarding the boiling water is
not effectual; as was proved by many losses from conferva.
It requires the pans to have been plunged at least three
times into boiling water, and each time left in the water for
ten minutes. The water applied as Dr. Fox suggests is some
degrees below the boiling-point when supplied through a
small watering-pot rose. If there are damp decayed leaves
in the compost, worms get between them, and the author has
seen them uninjured after two immersions in boiling water.
Care must also be taken to destroy any vegetable life on the
pans, bell-glasses, or labels.

It is difficult to mix a really good soil for seedlings,
and it is better to have a number of different mixtures, and
sow spores in each, in order to be more certain of success.
For the author’s own sowing he uses what are called pint pots,
placing them in saucers with an inch of water for two or three
days, and then removing this water for a day or two, He
also uses good peat alone, and upturned loam sods alone, and
sometimes one treatment is the best, and sometimes another.
Most Ferns germinate very slowly in peat. Turf gathered
where spring tides come over it will not have any growth
either of Ferns or conferva. Practice and constant attention
to every detail are sure to succeed eventually. Major Cowburn
of Dennel Hill, and Mr. F. C. Clark of Street, were pro-
ficient at once, because they mastered all the details at
starting.

In a paper that the author wrote forthe January 1878
number of the Widland Naturalist, on ‘Abnormal Ferns,”

140 FERN GROWING

allusion is made to growing spores in a very dark place. The
impregnation of the prothallus did not seem capable of being
accomplished without the action of light; the growth seemed
to be arrested before arriving at that particular stage of
prothalloid life. The following experiment is an illustration.
In 1874 a large Wardian case was filled at the base with
three inches of a prepared compost, carefully pressed down,
and this was sown in lines with spores from many varieties
of different species, the lines being kept separate by moving
flat glasses over the soil, only exposing that portion that was
about to be sown. After sowing, the case was placed in a
somewhat dark corner, under a brick archway, in a warm
greenhouse that faced the north, the opening of the arches
facing the south, the case being on the floor. When the
spores had been sown about six months, the surface of all
those lines was a green mass of prothalloid growth. A second
case was then prepared, into which were transplanted rows of
patches from each of the lines from the first Wardian case,
every patch being lifted on the point of a knife, and deposited
in a small hole previously made. This second case was
placed in a light part of the same house where there was
no sunshine. The transplanted patches grew rapidly, whilst
those in the case from which they were taken made little
or no progress. Within the next six months the second
case was filled with a mass of fronds, but not a frond had
appeared in the first case. For three years the first case was
kept in the same dark situation, and there was but little in-
crease in growth, and no fronds ever appeared; whereas all
the little patches that were from time to time removed into
full daylight rapidly developed fronds. These experiments were
not then carried on beyond three years, but have since been
repeated. The prothalli, although growing very slowly whilst
in the dark, kept in a very healthy condition. Whilst making
these experiments, a pan of transplanted groups, protected -

FERN GROWING 141

with a bell-glass, was placed under the same arch, and as
long as it remained there no fronds appeared.

Regarding the proper time for sowing spores there is a
diversity of opinion: some advocate keeping them till spring ;
it has always been the practice of the author to sow as soon
as possible ; andas to the portions of fronds desired, they are
placed in papers, and left between the pages of a book for
a couple of days, when they would readily scrape by using
a blunt penknife. At the time of getting the fronds, pans
are prepared, so as to be in a proper condition as regards the
necessary moisture of the soil. These seed-pans are always
kept in a warm greenhouse until the prothalli are large
enough to be repotted, and even then still kept for a
time in a greenhouse. On potting singly, the plants are
allowed to remain in heat for two or three weeks, after
which, if the weather has become mild, they are placed out
of doors. If the weather is cold, they are kept in the same
house, or when strong enough are removed to a cool green-
house or frame.

The author has constructed shallow two-light frames,
using the Willesden waterproof green scrim instead of glass.
These act the same as glass, are much lighter, less expensive,
and are at the same time a shade. In these are placed
about four inches of a porous material, usually the fine ridd-
lings of coal after it has been burnt, and in this the seedling
Ferns are plunged and flourish. This scrim is also an excel-
lent shade for Fern-houses, and, being waterproof, it wears
longer than the usual shading. It is the only shade that the
author uses for Filmy Ferns.*

As regards insects, many are of interest to the Fern-
grower. There are a number that may be constantly seen
moving about amongst the prothalli; they are very small, and

* The new patent varnished wire-canvas is an excellent substitute for glass,
durable, and is useful also as a shade.

142 FERN GROWING

difficult to eradicate, but appear to do no harm, and they may
convey the sperms from one prothallus to another.* They are
not found amongst wild prothalli out of doors. Wood-lice
(Onzscus asellus) are a destructive pest, as they get under the
glass and make themselves nests amongst the seedlings ; they
are readily seen and removed; a saucer of water surrounding
the seed-pans is an effectual barrier.

The crane-fly, or daddy-long-legs (7zpula oleracea), is
sometimes a pest, especially in the Biinter formation, where
in July and August (as in Nottingham Park) the winged
insect is seen in millions.

Beetles never troubled the author. Birkenhead’s beetle-
traps will catch them; but not wood-lice or slugs. The grub
of the weevil (Curvculio sulcatus) is exceedingly destructive
to young Scolopendriums, and even to fully grown plants;
they feed on the roots until none are left and the plants
are dying before their ravages are found out. The only
plan is occasionally to pull at the fronds, and if they are
attacked by weevils, one or more will be found disconnected
with the plant. When this is the case, all the soil must be
shaken off, and the grubs found and destroyed. A hunt
should be made for the perfect insect, as it is often detected
in the daytime resting on the sides of the pans, or hidden
under the leaves; at night it may be found crawling about.
Some years this weevil is much more destructive than’ in
others. In the spring of 1890, on new soiling a bed of Asfz-
diums, many thousands of these grubs were found. On taking
up the large plants and shaking off the soil, it was seen they

* Amongst these Podura plumbea (skipjack), of the order Thysanura, family
Podurella, evidently carries the male sperms of Ferns from one prothallus to another,
and thus causes a strange impregnation. This insect was seen under a bell-glass that
protected a division of a prothallus that had lived six and a half years without pro-
ducing fronds because it had only the female organs, but three weeks afterwards a
frondlet appeared. It is not only remarkable that a prothallus should live six and a
half years, but that it should be in a condition for impregnation.

FERN GROWING 143

had fed very much on the roots; but the plants all recovered.
Again, in 1891, on repotting the specimen Adzantums, it was
found that these grubs had eaten into the very hearts of the
plants, so that the specimens were divided by them into small
pieces. The author counted as many as one hundred and
seventy in one Adiantum pan, and there was not a single
plant that had not dozens of these grubs. Although their
ravages caused the plants to be some time in recovering, most
of them were saved. Other small flies and beetles are destruc-
tive to the fronds. An insect known as the frog-hopper
(Thrips ochraceus), from its snipe-like flight, feeds on the
upper green surface of the fronds, very much disfiguring the
Polypodium vulgare. It is readily observed on touching a
frond, as it instantly flies off and settles on the under-side of that
or another frond. Varnished wire-netting (a substitute for glass)
is invaluable as a frog-hopper trap, owing to the stickiness
of the varnish. Tobacco water, fir-tree oil, and fumigating
kill these insects; but others arrive, and have to be continually
looked for. The froth-hopper or cuckoo spit (TZeltegonia
spumaria) is only occasionally found on the fronds; it is:
recognised by its froth. The red spider (Acarus tellarius),
the mealy bug (Coccus adontdum), the oleander scale (4 spzaz-
otus nerit), thrips (Thrips adonidum), and the plant louse
(Aphis, several species) are all more or less troublesome when
the Ferns are in a greenhouse.

As regards destructive slugs, the author wishes particularly
to except the Zestacella haliotidea (Draparnaud), and its varie-
ties scutum (Sowerby), pallida (Cockerell), and aurea (Cockerell),
and also Testacella Mauget (Ferussac) ; these are friends instead
of foes; they are easily recognised by the small shell on the
top of the slug at what we may call the tail end, though in
reality this is not the tail. In 1882 the author. sent a number of
specimens to his friend Dr. Gwyn Jeffreys, for he had found
them in abundance at Shirenewton, Chepstow, Newchurch,

144 FERN GROWING

Wentwood, Matherne, Tintern, St. Pierre, Portskewet, New-
port, Cardiff, Clifton, and Bath; but Dr. Jeffreys considered
them to have been introduced. Since Dr. Jeffreys’ death they
have been seen in so many other localities that they are now
considered as British slugs. They live underground in the
daytime, and are only to be seen on damp nights by the aid
of a lamp. They are very voracious; one kept in a box with
ten worms and ten slugs had destroyed them all in two days.
They descend worm-holes and will seize the worms, whilst
the shell at the other extremity is a perfect protection against
anything following them.

Of the eighty-seven land slugs there are only eighteen
that give trouble to the gardener: these are Amalia marginata
(Miiller), 4. gagates (Draparnaud), Arion ater (Linneus), A.
Bourguignati (Mabille), A. hortensis (Ferussac), A. subfuscus
(Draparnaud), Ludimax agrestis (Linneus), £. maximus
(Linneus), 2. cenereo-niger (Wolf), Helix aspersa (Miiller), Z.
concinna (Jeffreys), HY. hzspida (Linneus), H. hortensis (Miiller),
Hf. nemoralis (Linneus), A. rufescens (Pennant), Zonztes alli-
arius (Miiller), Z. cellarius (Miiller), and Z. nztedulus (Drapar-
naud). Some of these species have many varieties—Avzon ater
has 10, Helix aspersa 20, and Helix nemoralis 23. Helix
aspersa is a great pest, but the author has never found it on
the Keuper districts.

The slugs of large size are very destructive, and require
to be constantly hunted for, or they will return night after
night to the same plant. The Aadzantum and Scolopendrium
are the Ferns that suffer most. One visit at night is not
sufficient, as some are on the move early, and some late. All
slugs, wood-lice, centipedes, and many other insects* feed

* One of the most useful insects is the ladybird (Coccinelle). There are several
common species, and they should be collected for the greenhouse, as they live
on nearly all the insect pests. The larva of the ladybird is very voracious. The
author placed two of them on a pelargonium that was swarming with Apfzs (green

FERN GROWING ' 145

with avidity on bran steeped in vinegar, and this is a better
trap than lettuce or cabbage leaves. If small heaps of the
bran are deposited in a score or more parts of a Fern-house,
the slugs will prefer feeding at these heaps to destroying
the fronds, and two or three visits each evening will soon
clear the house of slugs; it is far better to find food for
depredators, instead of waiting night after night for them to
be trapped. The author never could see the philosophy of
setting a single trap along a row of peas that mice were
destroying ; for, whilst one is being caught, the others will
be going on with their work of destruction. If, instead of
this, you were to scatter a little corn amongst the peas, the
mice would eat the former, whilst at the same time you
are gradually reducing the number and saving your crop.
In setting vinegar and bran traps in the outdoor Fernery,
the author has caught more than two thousand slugs in
a night with fifty of these little heaps: early in the night
these traps are visited by some dozen distinct small slugs,
whilst at a later hour large ones appear. Slugs that are so
rare in a certain locality as not to have been noticed have
been secured by this means.

There are various vegetable as well as animal pests: the
most destructive is one very similar in its ravages to that
which causes the potato disease. It is a fungoid growth that
is known in Scotland, and in the last few years has appeared
in England. It was first seen in Mr. E. F. Fox’s Fernery
at Bristol, six years ago, from which it has spread to the

fly), and on looking at it an hour afterwards there was not one remaining. It
must not be omitted, in the enumeration of insects, to point to the disfigurement
of fronds by large and small caterpillars: one, if left undisturbed, will soon leave
nothing but the thick stems; another will have its egg deposited in the unfolded
frond of the Lady Fern, the apex of which will afterwards be discovered rolled
up into a bundle in which the grub may be found; a third is detected eating its
way up the Lady Fern stem ; whilst a fourth (very small) glues itself in its network
meshes on the under-side of the fronds.
K

146 FERN GROWING

author's Fernery, and into that of the Clifton Zoological
Gardens. It does not show itself out of doors until the middle
of summer, when dark patches appear on the fronds, which
are at once much disfigured. If all the fronds are severely
attacked, the plant becomes so weak that it is unable to recover.
The author has it in his greenhouses, where it attacks even
the small seedlings, and in a warm greenhouse it grows and
spreads through the winter. The only way to stamp it out
is by cutting off all the diseased fronds as they appear, and
at once burning them. Its ravages are chiefly confined to
the Scolofendrium; but it will attack other Ferns, especially
the Lady Fern and Nephrodium spinulosum ; and indeed other
plants, as in the spring of 1892 it was found on the leaves of
the dahlia and tomato that were growing in the same house
with the author's seedling Ferns.* An orange-coloured fungus t
attacks the Cystopterds, and occasionally mildew may be seen.

We read in the Gardeners’ Chronicle, Dec. 24, 1892 :-—

“A new pest attacked A spzdium angulare (but no other Fern)
on the roth of June 1894, and for a few days did great damage.
The rachis at different heights was scraped to the centre,
and this caused the frond to break at the injury; the costa
of the pinnz were also similarly attacked. What produced
this damage was not discovered. It was noticed both at
Shirenewton Hall and at the Clifton Zoological Gardens.

‘Specimens of the fungus greatly resembling that found on
the potato, which were sent to Dr. Maxwell Masters, were re-
ported on by Mr. Cooke, who considered ‘it was apparently
Milesia polupodiz, found first in Scotland, but not before
known in England. The filaments are like those of a moss,
long drawn out, resembling those of Fontenalis antepyretica.’” —

M. C. Cooke, Herbarium, Royal Gardens, Kew.

* The JJilesia was all but absent in 1893, no doubt owing to the drought, but
it played fearful ravages with the Hart’s-tongue Fern in 1894.
+ Fuligo varians.

FERN GROWING 147

The author cannot help quoting, from Mr. Druery’s
useful work on “Choice British Ferns,” the following remarks,
as they are so true, which we all know to our cost, viz.,
as regards destruction of plants through want of ordinary
observation and attention. Mr. Druery says: “ With constant
personal care the evil may not go far; but go out for a week
or two, leave somebody else in charge, and the caterpillar
gets his chance. When you return home, it is possible
you will find a choice selection of rags and tatters of dilapi-
dated Fern fronds, and a fine army of caterpillars roosting
upon the ruins, and busily grinding up the remnants into
future butterflies; your pet plants recalling Paddy’s old coat,
z.e., composed principally of fresh air.” Prevention is better
than cure; but how is this to be attained if your gardener is
devoid of that bump of observation that would enable him
to detect these ravages before the whole plant is gone into
the stomach of the caterpillar? Plants may swarm with green
fly and mealy bug, and a whole colony of different plant
pests, but he either does not see them or is too busy with
his previously neglected cabbages to have time to destroy
pests till to-morrow, which, however, never comes ; he forgets
that he is thus aiding in the destruction of all the plants
under his care, and, moreover, is building up for himself a
character of incompetence; adding one more instance that
such a man “is not worthy of his hire,” and that instead of
his swaggering, and priding himself on what the army of
proficient gardeners, however, call by the names of want of
brains, and destitution of ordinary abilities, he should rather
take his seat on a back form in a Board School, and try to
learn at all events as much as his child, who was not borna
dozen years ago.

Watering young fronds is a delicate operation; for if
the small fronds are weighed down to the soil, unless
immediately lifted up by the point of a knife or pin, they

148 FERN GROWING

will be destroyed. A very fine rose must be used with the
watering-pot, so as to imitate a gentle shower; and whilst
in the prothalloid state, or when the first frondlets are only
then appearing, if moisture is required it must be given through
a spray distributor.

In potting off young Ferns into single small flower-pots,
it isan advantage to use cockle-shells or broken oyster-shells
with the drainage, and above this a thin layer of spent-hops :
when the roots reach these they begin to grow vigorously,
and they continue to receive this nourishment after removal
into larger pots.

The labels for Ferns are of importance, from the sowing
of the spores to the mature plant.

The author’s practice with the spores has been to paint
the centre of the flat covering glasses w/zte, and, whilst wet,
to write the name or names, and the date. If the seed-pan
contains three or four different varieties of spores, or mixed
spores, the glass is marked with these three or four divisions,
and the names of the spores contained in each, together with
a private number.

For the ordinary Fernery label, various kinds have been
tried, and all but the one now adopted have been more or less
failures. When a label will only be legible for twelve months,
the readings having become illegible before the label itself
is decayed, all the work must be renewed each year, and, with
thousands of plants, this labour is very great. Three years ago
the author had labels made half-an-inch thick, an inch and a
half wide, and ten inches in length; these were kept square at
the bottom, and made smooth. One half of the label received
three coats of white paint, and the other half was dipped in
boiling tar;* when dry they were painted on one side, over

* A creosote-mixture has been used lately, the base of the label being plunged
into it for a few hours, apparently with success. Recently the author has been
using iron labels one inch wide, and ten inches long, which are painted white, and

FERN GROWING 149

the white paint, with black Japan, and before this had become
dry the name required was scratched in with a blunt-pointed
piece of hard wood or a French wire nail; this caused the
letters to appear white on a black ground. These square-
ended labels were then driven firmly into the ground. The
object in having the label blunt instead of pointed was to
prevent the frost lifting it out of the ground, as happens if
the label be wedge-shaped; and in this respect it has proved
successful. Labels made three years ago are as sound and
legible as the day they were made, and rain keeps them clean.
A second safeguard is entering the position of the plants in
the Fernery in a catalogue: if this is carefully done, you are
independent of labels. At the Clifton Zoological Gardens this
plan has been adopted by the author, on account of the danger
of exhibiting the names in a garden so much frequented.
Occasionally a plant has been stolen, and it has been thought that
if the plants were exhibited with their names the loss would be
greater. The plants are all in rows, and are divided into sections
by the introduction of dwarf-standard yew-trees, the record
always beginning at the east end of each row in every section.

Aspidium angulare var. decompositum-splendens has great
interest attached to it on account of its anomalous seedlings with
much-divided superb fronds, for up to the present time there is
no knowledge of any of the seedlings bearing any likeness to its
parent. A short history of this Fern is desirable on account of
some confusion that exists as regards its origin. The honour
of discovering this Fern has been erroneously stated by Mr. C.
Druery to belong to Colonel Jones. This is an excusable mistake,
because two Ferns now bearing this name were found. A variety
called decompositum was found in Devon by Mr. Moule, and a
seedling raised from it by Colonel Jones was named decomposz-

afterwards the name scratched in on a black Japan surface. These, if cut from good
hoop-iron, are not expensive.

150 FERN GROWING

tum-splendens ; and the plant is not bulbiferous, nor does it pro-
duce varieties like the p/umoso-divistlobum. A somewhat similar
variety has been found in Ireland, in County Down, by Mr. W.
H. Phillips. However, the true or original decomposttum-
splendens was found by Mr. James Moly of Langmoor, Char-
mouth, in one of his tours into South Devon in 1875, and it
received this name from Mr. G. B. Wollaston. Colonel Jones
gathered spores from this plant in Mr. Moly’s garden, and these
were sown in 1878 by Mr. E. F. Fox, though the latter was not
aware till long afterwards that they were not from Colonel Jones’
seedling. The anomalous character of the seedlings raised from
these spores was so marked that Mr. Fox was unwilling to
credit decomposttum-splendens with being the parent. Colonel
Jones therefore made a special visit to Mr. Moly for additional
spores, and was at the same time presented with a division of
the plant, which is now in the Martin-Atkins Fernery in Pem-
broke Road, Clifton. In 1892 Mr. Moly’s plant produced a
bulbil, which he presented to the author, and this accounts for
the seedlings of decomposttum-splendens being more or less
bulbiferous.

The second sowing of these spores by Mr. Fox confirmed
the fact that the former anomalous seedlings owed their paren-
tage to his decomposttum-splendens. Amongst the first seedlings
were three somewhat similar in character, yet distinct from each
other ; these Colonel Jones named plumoso-divistlobum laxum,
plumoso-divisilobum robustum, and plumoso-divisilobum densum,
all very fine varieties, the last-mentioned being the most beauti-
ful, in fact as beautiful as Zodea superba. They are all sterile,
and require propagating by bulbils or divisions, the latter being
a very slow process. As regards the propagation by bulbils, the
one known as p/umoso-divistlobum densum has bulbils that produce
very different varieties to the parent. Colonel Jones raised two
plants from bulbils in 1886, and in 1888 gave one to the author,
and the other to Mr. John Loraine Baldwin. They were not

FERN GROWING 151

only distinct from the parent, but quite distinct from each other :
the one given to the author has almost horizontal fronds, and
this has been called embrocatum ; the other has an erect frond,
narrower than the others, but the divisions are much finer ; this
has been called Baldwinz, and is, perhaps, the most beautiful
British Fern yet known. From the second sowing by Mr.
Fox, there was only one that was very distinct, this is called
gracile. Mr. Fox all but lost it, and gave it to the author to try
and save its life; it lingered between life and death until the
summer of 1894, when it threw up some healthy fronds. The
author sowed spores of this decompositum-splendens in 1890, and
has a few promising varieties. It has been said that all these three
varieties are sterile, yet in 1893 there were a few spore-cases on
Baldwini; they were very different from the normal ones of
A spidium angulare, having no indusium, and were small, showing,
when magnified, that each had only four to five spores; these were
at once sown, but it is not yet certain that any have germinated.

The varieties of Aspzdzum angulare in the section p/umoso-
divistlobum must not be confused with those in the section
adivistlobum : for in the latter there is a variety Zaxum, found by
Mr. J. Wills, in South Devon in 1874; another, rodustum, found
also in South Devon in 1874, by Mr. J. Moly; and a third, densum,
which was raised at Sale by Messrs. F. W. & H. Stansfield.

In 1879 the author raised a number of seedlings that all
belong to the section plumoso-divistlobum, but how they origi-
nated it is now impossible to say; they were small when he
left Nottinghamshire, and showed nothing remarkable in their
character, and they passed into the hands of Messrs. J. R.
Pearson, and were grown in their Nursery at Chilwell. In 1885
Colonel Jones visited Chilwell and recognised their excellence,
and brought some plants away with him. But previously to
this others had been disposed of that Mr. Charles Pearson
thought were the cream of’ this batch; these were traced to
the King’s Norton Nursery near Birmingham, and the author

152 FERN GROWING

obtained a plant of the best variety from Messrs. Pope & Sons.
Colonel Jones named three of the varieties Pearsonz, dissectum,
and Lowez, the latter being the one from King’s Norton.

In the second sowing of decompositum-splendens by Mr. Fox,
the seedlings were very similar to those first raised.

In 1885 Mr. Fox sowed a mixture of decompositum-splendens
with a variety known as the plumosum of Wollaston, and
amongst the seedlings are p/umoso-divisilobum grande (Jones),
and Razna (Fox).

In 1885 Colonel Jones also sowed a mixture of spores
consisting of decompositum-splendens (Wollaston), polydactylum-
Jonestz (Lowe), known as the Hampshire Polydactylum, and
splendidum (Lowe), the Vale of Avoca Polydactylum of Padley ;
the idea was to raise polydactylous forms of p/umoso-divistlobum.
In this Colonel Jones succeeded; but all the varieties were
congested, and the cresting proved to be no improvement, as it
was at the expense of the divisions of the lobes.

In 1890 the author sowed a mixture of the spores of decom-
positum-splendens, Mrs. Grant’s beautiful A/mosum, and Colonel
Jones’ “:neare-cristatum ; there are varieties from this mixture
having plumoso-divistlobum characters that are crested and yet
not congested.* There would have been many sowings of
decompositum-splendens on account of the great interest attached
to this variety, but the difficulty has been to procure spores.
Mr. Moly, in his good nature, divided the plant so that Colonel
Jones should possess a portion of it, and unfortunately this
injured Mr. Moly’s plant, whilst the one Colonel Jones had has
been lost. Major Cowburn, Mr. Barnard Hankey, and Mr.
Barnes all had spores, but failed to raise plants.

In 1894 Mr. Moly had only one frond with spores; and of the
last sowing of the author, though there were many seedlings, none
had characterslike p/moso-aivisilobum—it seems asif the power to
produce plumose fronds from some reason or other has been lost.

* Seedlings from sowings in 1891 and 1893 are very promising.

FERN GROWING 153

' The many and very varied ways in which Ferns can be
raised are of great interest, and should make the subject one
of especial interest to Botanists. The numerous distinct and
handsome varieties of the British species have kept up an interest
with Horticulturalists ; the advance owing to hybrid varieties has
been vastly greater than that by wild finds; the former have
rapidly increased, whilst the latter have decreased; the Fern
explorer, who used to be laden with new varieties, now returns
empty-handed, and it is only whilst we have new fields to explore
that we may hope to obtain something new. Many of those who
formerly employed their leisure in exploration, now find it more
profitable to devote their time to the raising of crossed varieties.

Speaking of bulb-bearing Ferns, z.2., plants forming on the
fronds, these are to be found at the base of the stipes of
Aspidium angulare, and in some varieties also along the
rachis, for more than three-fourths of the length of the frond.
Mr. O'Kelly found a Scolopendrium in County Clare with
the upper surface scattered over with small plants; and the
author has a plant very like S. vulgare var. guadriparens, with
plants on the leafy portion. He once saw a crested Osmunda
vegalis similarly bulbiferous, and in this instance (as in A.
angulare above mentioned) the bulbils did not produce plants
like the parent ; indeed, from this crested variety a grandtceps
variety resulted. Some years ago the author received from
Miss Bellaires a large specimen of the Axminster form of the
plumose Lady Fern, with the fronds crowded with young
plants; more than fifty could be counted on a single frond.
These bulbils have nothing to do with the sori reproduction,
as they are as common on the sterile as on the fertile frond.

There is a congested capitate Aspzdium angulare in the
Fernery at Shirenewton Hall. If its fronds are buried in
soil up to the capitate head, roots are formed, and the capitate
head can in a few months be divided into a number of plants.

It is a well-known fact that Ferns with capitate fronds, after

154 FERN GROWING

being fully unfolded, will again commence to increase the size
of the head, and sometimes to a considerable extent.

It has been suggested that information should be given
as to where at the present time are the best places as hunting-
grounds for new wild varieties, and here difficulties crop up:
those places that used to be the most prolific in abnormal
forms have been so well explored by the Botanist and Florist,
and so thoroughly examined by the Fern-dealer that there is
very little chance of finding a really distinct new form. It is
a good rule to select localities difficult of access, thinly
populated districts far removed from railways and the usual
routes of tourists; these are now the most promising places.
A large wood near a road full of Ferns will be searched from
the nearest side, and such a place would only yield treasures
at the furthest extreme. Inaccessible rocks, or rocks where
a ladder has to be used, will yield better results than where
plants can be reached from the ground. In the wildest dis-
tricts in Scotland, Ireland, Wales, and England, far removed
from large towns, there are yet places to be found that will
reward an explorer. Even at the time when Fern-hunters
found so many good varieties, a long day’s search would be
considered a successful one if one really distinct form was
secured; though there are instances where the discoveries
have been far more prolific. Some years ago Colonel Jones,
Mr. Praeger, and the author took a carriage to explore the
country near the sea from Minehead to Ilfracombe, avoiding
as much as possible the well-known coach-road. The first day
was spent between Minehead and Lynton, and the second
between Lynton and Ilfracombe; but although many varie-
ties were seen, there were none that could be said to be
remarkably distinct. We had previously had a blank day’s
hunting between Nettlecombe Court and Dunster Castle,
and afterwards an equally fruitless search near Cullompton, in
Devon. The author has examined parts of Dartmoor, Saltash,

FERN GROWING 155

Torbay, Dawlish, and Westward Ho, but the finds have been
disappointing. The coast-line between Scarborough and
Whitby was a greater success years ago ; but Killin, Ben Lawers,
Ambleside, Dunkeld, Arbroath, and between Loch Katrine
and the Bridge of Allan have been the author's experiences of
really good districts for Fern varieties, and about the Falcon
Clints in Teesdale, Weardale, and Wensleydale, near Stonyhurst,
and Chaigeley Manor, Lancashire, all used to be prolific hunt-
ing-grounds. A second visit along the Yorkshire coast and
in Teesdale was disappointing. It must be remembered that
such researches are now less successful, owing to the number
of fine varieties that have already been discovered. Take as
example the fork-headed and capitate Scolofendriums, where
in the neighbourhood of Dawlish and Westward Ho there
used to be so many; if now equally abundant, it would be
impossible to find varieties that would in any degree approach
what have been already found or raised. And it must also
be remembered that, having now so many very distinct ex-
treme forms, plants raised from them (two or more varieties
crossed together) give a far greater chance of splendid
results than months of diligent exploration in wild districts.
One of our most active explorers, who has hunted for Fern
varieties for many years, Mr. James Moly of Langmoor, near
Charmouth, says that the author has raised many forms that
he has been hunting for in vain, and that he consoles himself
with the knowledge that some of these could not have been
raised had he not found the varieties from which they have
sprung. It must not be forgotten that the surroundings of
many of these wild localities are so beautiful that an
enjoyment exists apart from what may be discovered. To
those who admire nature, and especially those living in
large towns, these changes not only contribute to health,
but distract attention, in a pleasurable manner, from those
business turmoils that are a constant strain upon the brain.

156 FERN GROWING

Some of the islands around our coast have yielded many
good Ferns: the Channel Islands, Arran, and other of those
islands along the west coast of Scotland and Ireland have
given good varieties; and if we take as an illustration the
number of species of Ferns that are to be found in the
limited area of some of these islands, we become astonished
at such fertile spots. Taking Lundy as our example, we have
an island of 3} miles in length, from north to south, and under
a mile broad where widest; it is situated 19 miles outside
Barnstable Bay, and has precipitous cliffs. The loftiest
mountain is Beacon Hill, 525 feet in height. For the most
part it is a rocky table-land exposed to the blasts of the
Atlantic gales; it swarms with innumerable sea-birds, but
the only animals are rabbits and rats. Although so small,
and separated 19 miles from the mainland, there is a plentiful
supply of fresh-water springs. Amongst the flora the following
Ferns inhabit Lundy :—

Adiantum Capillus-Veneris (rare). Nephrodium Filix-mas.
Asplenium Adiantum-nigrum. i rigidum.

5 LFilixfemina. ‘i recurrum.

53 lanceolatum. $3 Spinulosum.

Pe marinum. #9 ailatatum,
Aspidium aculeatum, Polypodium vulgare.
Cystopteris fragilis and variety. Scolopendrium vulgare.
Lomaria Spicant. Peers aquilina.
Osmunda regalis. Ophioglossum vulgatum.

Ferns undergo great changes in the vigour of their growth,
according to a greater or less favourable situation. The author
has found Pterzs aguzlina on the summit of Helvellyn with
fronds only three inches in length, and on Longridge Fell exceed-
ing ten feet. Polypodium vulgare, P. dryopteris, P. phegopteris,
and Nephrodium alpinum vary from one to three inches, and
Nephrodium abbreviatum bore twelve-inch fronds on Ben
Lawers. Asplentum marinum in the sea-caves at Auchmithie,

FERN GROWING 167

on the east coast of Scotland, was much reduced in size, and the
Osmunda regalis on rocks dashed with waves near Santander was
only three or four inches in height, whilst in some parts of Ire-
land it attains the height of eight or ten feet. The Lady Fern
becomes stunted in growth on exposed mountains, and attains
the greatest luxuriance when growing on the margin of brooks
in sheltered situations. The late Sir W. J. Hooker con-
sidered that the growth of Adzantum Capillus-Veneris, and
Asplenium marinum as he found it in the Burren district
of County Clare, could only be compared to their luxuriance
in Madeira. The author in 1860 gathered fronds of the
Maiden-hair Fern whose length was thirty inches, amongst
rocks on the summit of the Vilia Escusa, one of the spurs
of the Pyrenees in Northern Spain.

The difference between a species and a variety is difficult
to denote, as there are changes from the normal form that
may have been occasioned by time and altered circumstances ;
and again, there are what may be termed the normal form
of a district, as a species varies in its character in different
places—in one place the growth is luxuriant, in another it is
stunted—and this frequently means a greater or less develop-
ment in all the details of a frond. There are places near
Scarborough where the Hart’s-tongue exists as a dwarf, mis-
shapen plant; and there are other places within a distance
of two or three miles where the soil is damp, and the plants
are protected from the sun and wind, where they assume
gigantic proportions ; but these divergences cannot be looked
upon as varieties, only as of greater or less luxuriance owing
to the soil and surroundings. The same reasoning equally
applies to other species. What we look upon as varieties are
confined to those where the changes are far more distinct,
and where the difference can be seen at a glance.

If two species are successfully crossed, their offspring will
be hybrids, but not if the crosses are between two varieties

158 FERN GROWING

of the same species; and the great test is in these crosses,
for the seedlings from crossed varieties are as fertile as their
parents, whilst those between two species are practically
sterile: this is shown in the offspring that have been pro-
duced from crossing Aspidium angulare with Asprdium acule-
atum, or from the want of success in sowing the spores of
Nephrodium remotum (known in gardens as Lastrea remota)
and Asplentum microdona.

For many reasons it is desirable to enter into details as
regards the cultivation of Ferns, and to point out what may
be injurious to their successful cultivation, and thus to render
assistance to those who are desirous to make this study a
success. Fifty years’ experience emboldens the author to offer
advice, and to give that information that has proved so success-
ful in his own investigations. Where the cultivation of Ferns
is attended with success it gives an interest that lasts through-
out the summer; whereas with most other plants it is only the
delight of a few days.

The general notion of a Fernery is the accumulation of
stones to form a Rockery, and the interspersion of a little soil.
The Ferns planted under such circumstances are often too dry,
and the first scarcity of rain is more or less fatal to them,
so much so as to cause them to drag on a miserable existence.
Ferns love water at their roots and a humid atmosphere, and
most of them require a shade—though not an overhead shade
which will prevent the rain falling on their fronds. Some
Ferneries are in borders on the north side of trees, and this
will suit them until the roots of the trees spread amongst
the Ferns and extract from the soil that which should feed the
Ferns. The most suitable place for nearly all Ferns is a border
on the north side of a wall, though some species do well if
exposed to the sun. There are times of drought, when under
the most favourable circumstances watering is an absolute

FERN GROWING 159

necessity, and in such instances it should be given copiously,
as a mere sprinkling does no good, the benefit only lasting a
few hours. If it is merely a wet surface, evaporation soon
carries it away; but if the ground is thoroughly wet to the
depth of four or five inches, the action below the surface is
slow. For bog Ferns, a low part of the Fernery well flooded
twice a day will be a good substitution for a marsh. After a
few dry days in summer the ground becomes parched, and it
requires water equal to that of a thunder-shower to do away
with this dryness. When it is requisite to resort to outdoor
watering, gardeners are apt to give too little. In 1893 the
drought dried the ground to the depth of nearly two feet. In
the midst of this drought there was a thunder-storm, which
threw down more than one hundred tons of water per acre;
but this great amount only penetrated the ground to the depth of
one and a half inch, and four days afterwards the effect had gone.
The drainage-pipes that carry off the water into brooks had
no water in them till December 4, as it took all the autumnal
rain to moisten the ground. The rain from a thunder-storm
after the surface ground has become dry has great difficulty
in penetrating the ground, and a large amount of the water
runs on the surface to a lower level.

Some Ferneries are planted without any regard to the
requirements of the different species. Osmunda regalis,
Nephrodium cristatum, and Nephrodium thelypterts are bog
plants, and delight to be in a situation where their roots can
descend to the water. They can all be successfully grown by
copying nature, either by making a bog with water and clay,
and then growing the plants in pots placed on small mounds ;
or by burying a large pan in the ground that will hold water
below the roots.

The Asplenium Trichomanes, A. viride, A. ruta-muraria,
and A. Ceterach, if grown out of doors, require a rockery
built against a wall, looking towards the north, and raised

160 FERN GROWING

six or seven feet above the ground. The surface of this
rockery should have a mixture of stones and soil six or
eight inches in depth. Seedling plants will do well in this;
but plants gathered wild from a wall are almost certain to
have their roots damaged when gathering them. All the
Aspleniums do well grown in pots in a cool greenhouse
with sufficient ventilation. The Asplenium marinum is not
hardy, except where it naturally grows in a cave; here it
clothes both the sides and the roof, even where there is
only a scanty supply of soil. It is to be seen growing
along sea cliffs, for here there is not sufficient cold in
winter to destroy the plants. In a greenhouse, however, it is
sure to flourish. The Polypodium alpestre and the Aspidium
Lonchites are both mountain Ferns; their roots run along
the ground, and are easily gathered without damage; but
they are rather difficult to cultivate ; potting without pressing
the soil, and giving a liberal supply of water, is essential ;
out of doors stones should be above them, the roots under,
and the fronds rising just outside the stones. <Asplenitum
septentrionale grows amongst crumbling rocks, and as it is a
Fern that requires peculiar rocks, it is wiser to bring away
with the plants a supply of the rock and soil. Potted in
its native soil it will flourish in a greenhouse.

The Killarney Fern ( Z7zchomanes radicans) is another Fern
that requires special treatment : it is impatient of drought, and
grows well where it can enjoy the spray of a waterfall. It is
found at Killarney and several other places in Ireland, and has
been found on the Welsh coast, both by the late Mr. Backhouse
and by a Fern-hunter who was endeavouring to find out where
Mr. Backhouse had seen it. More recently it has been found
in Scotland. Ifthe following plan is adopted, it will flourish as
well as in its natural habitat. Dig a pit 4 feet deep, and if
not through a rock or heavy clay, the sides will require walling
—it should not be less than 12 feet long and 6 feet wide ; on this

FERN GROWING 161

fit a framework and glass lights, and if the soil is porous, have
a concrete bottom extending several inches up the sides so as
to hold water; use large shallow pans filled with broken rock,
and a surface of a couple of inches of peat and sand, to
grow the plants; fasten them down to the soil, and in course
of time they will spread their rhizomas both on the surface of
the pans and all round the outside ; these pans should stand in
a saucer of water, and the whole placed on a large inverted
flower-pan; water frequently with a watering-can or a small
rose, and cover the glass with Willesden scrim, and in frosty
weather throw two or three thicknesses of mats over the
lights, and no further protection is necessary. The author
has some splendid specimens that were potted more than
forty years ago and never since disturbed.

Todea superba and Todea pellucida do well in this pit, as
also the Lymenophyllums ; the latter, if tied with wire on the
outside of inverted flower-pans, will require no further help.
The sides of the pit which the author has, have become covered
with self-sown Ferns, amongst which are young plants of the
Todea pellucida.

Nephrodium montanum is found from the sea-level to a con-
siderable elevation. Both this and Lomarza Spicané are difficult
of cultivation in a limestone district ; they require much water
and a total absence of lime; a mixture of cold stiff clay and
decaying leaves suits them well.

Nephrodium Filix-mas, N. baleaceum, N. abbreviatum,
Asplenium Filix-femina, Aspidium angulare, and A. aculea-
tum are all easily grown; they require a mixture of heavy
loam and decaying leaves, with abundance of space between
the plants in order to produce good specimens. It is advis-
able to cover all the Fern-beds with a liberal supply of leaf
mould every winter; it prevents the frost freezing the ground
hard, and is a fertiliser in the spring.

Nephrodium, Filix-mas, N. paleaceum, and N. abbreviatum
L

162 FERN GROWING

were formerly considered as only forms of VV. F2ézx-mas until
Mr. Wollaston pointed out the specific differences. The
great difficulty of crossing any two of these, proves them
to be species. From many sowings the author raised only
three plants, whilst a portion of the spores (from the same
papers) when sown separately produced a great number of
plants.

The largest plant of Mephrodium abbreviatum that the
author has found was growing near the summit of Ben Lawers,
not much under the height of four thousand feet. A number
of very distinct varieties of this species have been found in the
English Lake district.

Nephrodium spinulosum, N. alpinum, and N. emulum are,
according to some authorities, three distinct species, but
according to others are only forms of WV. séznulosum. There
seems to be a close affinity between the first two, V. alpinum
being a dwarf mountain form of VV. spznulosum. As regards
NV. emulum, the fronds are quite different, they are so tough
that they are only broken with difficulty ; whilst the others
have very brittle fronds. .V. @mulum is also a mountain form.
In a hilly wood at Hackness, the basal half was, twenty years
ago, crowded with WV. spzxulosum, which at the bottom of this
hill were of an unusual large size; higher up they became
smaller, and then a few plants of WV. @mulum were found
amongst them; higher up WV. @mulum was more abundant,
and XV. spinulosum in much diminished numbers ; and at a few
feet higher than this the MV. spznulosum ceased, and a large
number of JV. e@mulum seemed to take exclusive possession.
The author removed a large number of plants of the V. e@mulum,
but yet left thousands. These were planted in two large beds
in which there was a liberal supply of half-decayed leaves, in
which the plants flourished, and grew into much larger speci-
mens than any that could have been gathered at Hackness.
These were exclusively VV. e@mulum, but in the second year

FERN GROWING 163

several of the largest were unmistakably MV. spemulosum. Year
after year a greater number of VV. sfenulosum appeared, and in
six or seven years every plant on these two beds was WV. spzxu-
fosum: there was not a single plant of V. emulum to be seen.
Three years ago Mr. P. Neill Fraser sent the author a dozen
Scotch plants of V. @mulum, and this year three of them were
N. spinulosum. None of the plants of VV. egmudum grown in pans
have changed their character. It has been suggested that plants
of VV. emulum died, and seedlings of NV. spinulosum had sprung
up in their place. Were this the case the plants of WV. spinulosum
would at first be smaller than the well-grown specimens of 1V.
emulum; instead of which, wherever a plant of NV. spznulosum
appeared, it was always fully grown, and larger than the plants
of V. @mulum. With these repeated proofs, it is more difficult
to believe that JV. spzuulosum had taken possession of these
beds, than that the plants had changed their character. The
above plants grow best in almost pure leaf mould.

The Ofhioglossums and Botrychiums are small, not very
conspicuous, and do not keep in good order for any length of
time; and, moreover, they only succeed when planted amongst
the grass ina meadow. Take this hint, and keep them in their
favourite fields.

Polypodium vulgare is easily managed if grown with an
abundance of leaf mould and half-decaying wood; but the
fronds are apt to be disfigured by the frog-hopper.

Pterts aguilina succeeds well if placed in the Fernery as an
established plant, although it is difficult to remove it from its wild
habitat. It is a greater success to have slate or slabs of stone
enclosing a space, three feét in diameter, and one foot deep ; by
this means the underground rhizomas keep within the desired
limits, and form a handsome close bush, instead of single fronds
appearing here and there all over the Fernery, often smothering
other Ferns.

Crybtogramma crispa and Polypodium Robertianum should be

164 FERN GROWING

planted with more stone than soil, and stones should surround
them ; the latter may be found growing amongst heaps of stones
without any soil.

Cystopteris fragilis and its varieties grow well in soil if
there is plenty of limestone.

The Woodstas and Gymnogramme Leptophylla must be
grown in a cool greenhouse under hand-lights.

Cystopteris montana, which is abundant amongst grass on
ledges of rock on Ben Lawers, is very easily cultivated in pans
in a greenhouse ; it soon makes a good specimen.

Polypodium Dryopteris and P. Phegopteris succeed well if
planted in leaf soil on a surface of cool clay. Ina shady green-
house Adzantum Capillus-Venerts must be treated as a green-
house plant; it does not flourish out of doors, but planted in
pans of about twelve inches in diameter, and with half the
compost consisting of old cow manure, magnificent specimens
can be obtained. .

Throughout the winter and in early spring the deciduous
Ferns are frondless, and even the evergreen ones have scarcely
any fronds that are not disfigured; but at this period a British
Fernery may be made attractive by planting the different narcissi
between the Ferns, and having a margin of crocus and snowdrop.
If the Ferns are three feet apart, and the centre eight or nine
inches between each Fern is planted with a dozen bulbs of any
kind of narcissus, an interesting collection of narcissi may
make the Fernery gay in spring; and before the fronds of
the Ferns have come to maturity the leaves of these bulbs will
have disappeared, and therefore they will not cause any detri-
ment to the Fernery.

The love of flowers is universal, it is to be seen in every
country, and it was so hundreds of years ago; and there is a
pleasing reference to narcissi attributed to Mohammed, who is
stated to have said, ‘If any one has two loaves of bread, let
him sell one and buy narcissi.”

FERN GROWING 165

The material used in potting Ferns is of great importance,
as on this depends the success attained. Peat, loam, leaves,
clay, sand, broken stones, crocks, half-decayed wood, lime,
manure, shells, spent-hops, cocoa-refuse, &c., must be used.

In the first place, the flower-pots and pans must be quite
clean and dry, or a confervoid growth will soon appear, and
this is injurious to the plants.

Proper drainage is necessary; a hollow crock should be
placed at the bottom, and then a layer of broken crocks, and
above this a thin layer of cocoa-refuse, and some broken
sea-shells, with a little sprinkling of spent-hops. The pan is
then ready for the compost, which must be varied to suit the
different species. It is scarcely necessary to state that the
amount of drainage should be increased according to the size
of the pan, very small pans requiring scarcely any drainage.

The different materials should be kept in separate heaps, and
only mixed as desired at the time of potting. The peat, loam,
clay, half-decayed wood, and old cow-manure should be kept
in heaps on the north side of a wall, and kept clean from weeds.
As regards leaves, they must be carefully collected as soon as
they fall; those from the oak and other deciduous plants are to
be preferred; they should be in a heap not more than a foot
thick, and turned over every week for some time to prevent
their getting warm ; afterwards they may be stacked, but should
still be occasionally turned over. Clay should be collected in
the autumn, and on the approach of frost, spread thinly on the
ground; this will cause pulverisation with a few degrees of
frost.

The sand selected should be coarse; fine sand is scarcely
wanted. The broken stones will be required of different sizes,
from that of a nut to that of several inches in diameter—sand-
stone, limestone, and Keuper-clay to be kept separate. Crocks
from broken flower-pots should be of several sizes, being
separated by passing through riddles with an inch mesh, half-

166 FERN GROWING

an-inch, and a quarter of an inch. Half-decayed wood must
not be from small branches; it should be eight or ten inches
in circumference, and stacked with the bark on. After a gale
there is plenty of all sizes to be found. The lime may be a
mixture of broken-up limestone and old mortar.

The manure should be that collected from the pastures
known as dry cow-manure, which should be stacked out of doors.
The best broken shells are those of oysters and cockles. Spent-
hops can be procured at a brewery, and cocoa-refuse from one
of the numerous dealers in peat, sand, loam, &c. A leaf-heap
must be made every year, as it will be required of different
ages, as some Ferns prefer half-rotten leaves. In potting, the
soils should be passed through a riddle, and only the coarse
portion used, except near the surface ; this is very essential with
large plants, for if potted entirely in fine soil, the plants will
suffer ; the lumps should be pressed close, but not the fine soil.

A mixture of half loam and leaf, with a third of sand, and
a third of broken-up cow-manure, will suit most Ferns; with
the addition of lime to those that require it, and the absence
of lime where it is injurious.

Constant attention in watering and watching for insects,
slugs, &c., is of the greatest importance. It is as easy to give
too much water as too little. Ifthe soil of a plant has become
very dry, watering is of no use, as it runs through the pan,
only wetting one or two places; the pan should be plunged
above the rim in water, and left there till all the bubbles of
air have been forced out.

The growing of Ferns is more general than it used to be.
A few years ago there was no special British Fernery at the
Royal Gardens, Kew; but one has now been added through
the solicitation and earnest desire of a few of the Fern culti-
vators. Colonel Jones, Mr. E. F. Fox, and the author have
sent a number of their varieties to the Kew Gardens, and

Mr. Carbonell of Usk left his Ferns (by will) to be added to

FERN GROWING 167

that collection. Many new varieties are constantly being found
wild or are raised from spores, and it is desirable that dupli-
cates of these should find a home in this national collection.

Recently a Fernery has been added to the collection of
plants in the Royal Botanic Gardens at Glasnevin, and the
author has supplied a number of plants in order to improve
this Irish Fernery.

Although some notable Ferneries have ceased to exist,
owing to the death of the owners, others have been
formed. In the author’s younger days there were Mr.
Swynfen Jervis’s collection, and those of Mr. James of
Vauvert, Mr. Clapham’s of Scarborough, Mr. Monkman’s of
Malton, the Rev. Charles Padley’s at Bulwell Hall, Mr.
Wills’s of Thornscombe, Mr Moly’s. of Langmoor, Mr.
R. J. Gray’s at Exeter, the nursery collections of Mr. Sim
of Footscray, Mr. Stansfield’s of Todmorden, and Mr. Ivery’s
of Dorking; more recently, those of Mr, E. F. Fox at
Brislington, Mr. Barnard Hankey’s, and others: all but one
have ceased to exist.* Colonel Jones’s Ferns were presented to
the Zoological Gardens at Clifton, and are a very fine collection ;
those of Major Cowburn are taken care of by Mrs. Cowburn, and
Mrs. Grant’s at Hillersdon by her son, Lord Llangattock.
Captain Marling of Clauna and others near Chepstow have
formed Ferneries, and Mr. F. C. Clark of Street is growing
crossed varieties from spores. Although we have lost many
cultivators of Ferns, their choicest varieties are still to be
procured, and the newer varieties, more especially those raised
by crossing, are in great advance of those of former days ;
the slight varieties that used to attract attention being now
passed over as unimportant. Many named varieties have
been superseded by seedlings. Formerly any one finding,
or raising a dozen new varieties was looked upon with

* J.e., Mr. Moly’s of Langmoor, Charmouth,

168 FERN GROWING

envy; but now Ferns with strikingly distinct characters are
raised in great numbers.

The immense number of spores that are constantly being
driven about by the wind is incredible. Two years ago the
author filled half-a-dozen seed-pans with suitable compost,
and placed them in exposed situations for a few hours, and
then covered them with sheets of glass so as to prevent other
spores occupying these pans. In course of time the surface
was covered with prothalli, and in a few months later the
crop showed plants of the Oak Fern, Marsh Fern, Lady Fern,
Male Fern, Hart’s-tongue, Bracken, Maiden-hair Spleenwort,
&c. There were many plants of the Oak Fern, although none
are growing in the neighbourhood.

When the author began to cultivate foreign Ferns, within
a year twenty-seven species sprung up in a large pan in the
Conservatory at Lenton Hall, where they had no Ferns, and
which is a quarter of a mile away. In 1860 the rain-water
off a walk was conveyed in pipes to a wall forming a sunk
fence; the water came through the stones and kept them
moist, and in a year or two the stones were hid by hundreds
of Ferns, mostly the Asplenium Trichomanes, although this
species was not to be found within several miles. Near the
lake at Highfield House was a sandstone cliff covered with
ivy ; a portion was cleared to show the rock, and within two or
three years the Asplentum Adiantum-nigrum appeared in pro-
fusion, although there were no plants of this species nearer than
the rocks of Nottingham Castle. Another example at High-
field House was a holly-fence on a sunken wall planted on
the eastern side of an orchard; this became the home of a
vast number of the Hart’s-tongue Fern, although this Fern
did not grow wild anywhere near the estate. It is thus only
necessary to form suitable situations with suitable soil, and
Ferns will soon take possession. The pit formed for Filmy
Ferns at Shirenewton Hall is cut through rock, and is four

FERN GROWING 169

feet deep; this pit is covered with glass, which is only lifted
for the purpose of watering, nevertheless it is crowded with
seedling Ferns.

If a collection is to embrace all the British species, there
should be a greenhouse, the span-roof house is the best (with
ventilation along the ridge), as in Messrs. Foster & Pearson’s
houses; the walk should be in the middle with a border of
6 feet to 8 feet on either side. There should be a wall on
either side of 3 feet high, and the borders should be raised to
this height, in which the plants can be plunged in their pots, and
the glass roof should be covered with what is known as the
. Willesden scrim shade, which, although a perfect shade, does
not make the house too dark. There are some delicate fronded
Ferns such as Acrocladon, Clarissitma, and Kalothrix varieties
of the Asplenium Filix-femina, Aspidium Lonchitts, &c., that
grow much more satisfactorily than in the open Fernery. Some
Ferns, as the Adiantum Capillus-Veneris, and Asplenium mart-
num, require heat in winter.

We have elsewhere alluded to a Filmy Fern-pit. But there
is yet another structure (in which young plants may be planted
in lines to strengthen) which is extremely useful : it is a frame
with a brick or wood side on the south, and lean-to lights
on the north side; the lights should be 3 feet at the back,
and 1 foot at the front, and within should be at least 6 inches
of good soil in which the Ferns should be planted; the glass
should be in separate lights of 3 feet in length, for easy
movement, and should rest against uprights to prevent their
being blown off by the wind.

There are great differences in the time occupied in the
germination of spores, some species taking much longer than
others; freshly gathered spores occupying the least time,
and those that have been kept for a number of years ger-
minating the slowest. After pricking out the seedlings, if
the pans are kept, further seedlings will spring up, and these

170 FERN GROWING

are often quite distinct from the first crop. It must also
be understood that many Ferns do not assume their distinct
varietal character until they have become mature for: several
years, and this more especially applies to the Aspidiums. On
the other hand, Ferns will show peculiar features when quite
in their infancy, these features becoming more and more
pronounced and improved with each unfolded frond.

It is not known how long spores retain vitality. Some
that were gathered in 1887, and sown in 1893, showed life
in at least seventy per cent. of the spores. The late Dr. E. F.
Fox received spores from Dr. Allchin in 1873 ; these were sown
in 1892, and a number (although a much diminished number)
had retained vitality.

The male sperms may not have much power in extricating
themselves from their cases, but they have some locomotive
force znter se, this is observed in the Vaucherza clavata, which
can stretch the walls of its confinement, and be squeezed
out, although much larger than the orifice of the tube in which
they are confined. This, however, is not a Fern.

A few words should be said as regards sterile Ferns—those
in which there is an absence of any trace of sori, and those in
which there are only imperfect spores. A Scolopendrium
vulgare named sterzle, found by Mr. J. Moly, is perfectly
sterile, and there is not a trace of sori; it is normal in form,
of large size, but with somewhat thin fronds.

The section crzspum in Scolopendrium vulgare, with one or
two exceptions that are less crisp and bear sori ( fertz/e of Fox
is one), are all considered sterile, and until 1894 the author
had never seen any that did more than occasionally bear a few
solitary sori. However, last year Mr. Clutson, gardener to Mrs.
Cowburn, had a frond, in which the lower half was not only
copiously soriferous, but there were twice as many lines of sori,
and many of these were twice as long as usual; they ended
suddenly in the middle of the frond, the upper half being

FERN GROWING 171

perfectly sterile (the variety is known as crispum-Cowburnt).
Advantage has been taken of this rare chance to sow a number
of pans with the spores.

Some very beautiful varieties are sterile, and amongst these
are Aspidium aculeatum var. pulcherrimum; A. angulare vat.
plumosum-grande (raised by Mr. E. F. Fox); A. angulare, var.
Pateyt; A. angulare var. plumosum (Moore); the three forms
of A. angulare, known as densum, robustum, and laxum, in the
section plumoso-divistlobum ; Nephrodium paleaceum var. ramo-
sesstmum ; Polypodium vulgare var. cambricum ; Pterts aquilina
var. grandieps ; Asplenium Trichomanes var. inctsum-Claphamt
(and several others of the zzezsums); Asplentum marinum vars.
Plumosum (Wollaston), Thompsona, and multipinnatum ; A sple-
nium Frlix-femina vars. Axminsterense, Barnesit, Clarissima,
Kalothrix, plumosum, Wellsti, and crispum. There are more
that might be enumerated, but the above are some of the most
beautiful of the British Ferns. The second class of sterile Ferns
which have sori, but have no perfect spores, are hybrids, having
only the rudiment of fertility without being fertile; we may
instance Vephrodium remotum, Aspidium hybridum, Asplenium
mucrodon, Asplenium adulterum, and a hybrid between A sp/e-
nium Trichomanes and Asplentum ruta-muraria which has
been found by Mr. G. B. Wollaston.

Sterile Ferns can only be increased by division or by the
formation of bulbils, and this in either case is a very slow
process with most of them; they are some years before they
throw up a second crown, and very few form bulbils. On the
other hand, any one who will devote time and attention to the
precautions that are set forth in raising Ferns from spores, can
in five or six years form a large and interesting collection of
Ferns which will teem with new varieties. There may be some
failures, but experience will surmount all the difficulties, and
the interest in watching the growth and development of the
seedlings is the reward of this diligence.

MEMOIRS OF FERN HYBRIDISERS

COLONEL ARTHUR MOWBRAY JONES

CoLonEL ARTHUR Mowsray Jones, eldest surviving son
of the late Thomas Mowbray Stafford Jones of Newport, Isle
of Wight, and Madeira House, Clifton, was born at Ring-
wood, in Hampshire, January 8, 1826, and was educated at
Bishops College, Bristol. He entered the army in 1849, and
served with the 75th Regiment in India, in the Madras
Presidency. In 1850 he exchanged into the 27th Regiment,
then quartered at Stirling, resigning his commission in 1853.
In 1854 he joined the West York Militia as Captain, when it
was embodied during the Crimean War, and remained in this
regiment until it was disembodied in 1856. He studied at
Durham University for a short time, and also at the Agri-
cultural College, Cirencester. In November 1860 Colonel
Jones was appointed Adjutant of the 1st Volunteer Battalion
the Gloucester Regiment, and held that post till 1881, when
he became Lieutenant-Colonel Commanding, retiring in 1882
with the rank of Colonel. He commenced the study of
Madrepores, &c., in 1858, and made a large collection, part
of which he afterwards presented to the Oxford Museum, and
part to the Bristol Museum.

He was married in 1864 to Clara, daughter of the late
Edwin Martin-Atkins of Kingston Lisle, Berkshire, who pre-
deceased him, leaving a family of four daughters and two
sons.

172

FERN GROWING » 193

He died on the 28th of February 1889, aged 63, and
was buried in Redland Green churchyard, Bristol.

In 1867 he started his collection of Ferns.

In the present memoir the author has to refer more
especially to his connection with British Ferns. He was one
of the founders of the “ Pteridological Society,” a Society
which authorised the publication of a certain number of
Natureprinted Impressions of the Varieties of the British
Species of Ferns, that were to be distributed to the members
of the Society at a small (inadequate) cost. Before the first
of this series was issued, the Society had ceased to exist,
but between January 1876 and December 1880 these plates
(between three hundred and four hundred in number) were
issued, and the somewhat large additional expense was cheer-
fully borne by Colonel Jones. It had originally been the
intention of the Rev. Charles Padley to produce this series,
and his exceptional mastery of the subject well fitted him for
this labour. He had selected Mr. Thomas Smith to execute
the illustrations, and had caused him to be instructed in the
best system of Nature Printing then in vogue; but Mr. Padley
abandoned the project, and Colonel Jones then took it in hand
and secured Mr. Smith’s services. Mr. Smith had a natural
taste for, and good knowledge of, Ferns, and this being com-
bined with technical skill) he commenced a process never
before attempted in that way, and excellently executed the
plates. Through a pressure of business, however, Mr. Smith
had to relinquish the work, and for the latter portion of
this undertaking we are indebted to Colonel Jones and his
sister and daughters, to whom Mr. Smith had communicated
the details of his system of ‘Nature Printing,” and who
continued the production of the plates admirably.

Colonel Jones was passionately fond of Ferns, and in
the latter portion of his life made frequent excursions to
various parts of England, Scotland, and Ireland, in quest

174 FERN GROWING

of wild varieties; in some of these being accompanied by the
author. He was widely known and justly esteemed by Fern
cultivators, and added much to his collection by exchanging
plants.

When the author sent a petition to the Board of Works
asking for a Fernery to be constructed at the Royal Gardens,
Kew, in order that a National Collection might be formed,
Colonel Jones was one of those who not only appended his
signature, but after the Fernery had been made sent a
number of his varieties to Kew.

The Ferns more especially associated with Colonel Jones
are Asplenium Filix-femina var. Clartssima; Aspidium
aculeatum var. Abbotte, which he saw in the garden of
Mrs. Abbot of Abbots Leigh, near Bristol (who had found
it); and Mephrodiun: emulum-cristatum, which he raised from
spores from a frond given to him by the late Mr. Gill of
Lynton; but his greatest achievement was in raising (in
conjunction with Mr. E. F. Fox) those beautiful plumose
varieties of Aspidium angulare known as plumoso-divisilobum
vars. laxum, robustum, and densum, raised from decomposttum-
splendens (a variety that had been found by Mr. James
Moly). The first-mentioned Clarissema is a most delicately
beautiful variety of the Lady Fern; it was found in North
Devon in 1868 by Mr. Moule, and the plant was secured by
Colonel Jones, who gave it the above name, saying it was
named after his wife, ‘“‘the Clara of all Claras.”

A few years before Colonel Jones's death he presented
the bulk of his collection of Ferns to the Clifton Zoological
Gardens, where they are now, carefully tended by Mr.
Harris (the head gardener), under the superintendence of the
author. It is a grand collection, and a valuable addition to
the attractions of Clifton.

It was not till 1884 that Colonel Jones commenced
repeating the author's experiments as regards multiple

FERN GROWING 175

parentage, and adding others of his own; but he soon showed
himself master of the subject, and not only confirmed the
author’s statements, but very materially strengthened the
proofs. He had persistently defended the practice of using
Latin descriptive (and even compound) names that had been
commenced by others when varieties were very few in number;
and it was only a short time before his death that he began to
realise the difficulties which were presenting themselves, especi-
ally as regards using compound words. The night before he
died he posted a very long letter to the author, in which he
concluded by saying, ‘If you come over to Clifton on Saturday,
I think that an hour’s conversation in the ‘Gardens’ will be
enough to convince me that your notions are correct, and that
descriptive Latin names will have to be discarded in future.”
Before this note reached the author, Colonel Jones had passed
away.

In 1888, during a severe frost, the author fell in Bristol
and broke his arm. Colonel Jones took him to his house,
where he remained his guest for six weeks, during which
time his anxiety to entertain an invalid, and his constant
care and attention, even to himself bringing a cup of tea at
four o’clock each morning, will always be remembered with
affectionate gratitude.

With Colonel Jones’s death the author lost his greatest
friend, one whose experience and sound judgment could always
be relied upon. His kindness of heart, his encouragement to
all those that were following in his footsteps, and his intense
feeling of the honour that should mark every gentleman, are
traits of his character that can never be forgotten.

*,* The following are extracts from letters received from Colonel Jones and
Mr. E. F. Fox,* two well-known British Fern authorities, having had for many
years large collections. Colonel Jones, whose letter was written the day before

* See also p. 179.

176 FERN GROWING

his death, said, “If you will come to Clifton on Saturday, I am prepared to be
convinced by a short conversation that your views regarding nomenclature are
correct. I have been following Moore, who has led all of us astray; but we
must recollect that when he started giving varieties Latin names, they could be
counted on his fingers. The varieties are now too numerous for us to perpetuate
descriptive Latin names. Your discovery of multiple parentage (every step of
which I have myself proved) is such a revolution that the time has now arrived
for the disuse of Latin. You cannot alter old-established names, but you can
prevent compound words in future nomenclature. Turning to genera, Baker of
Kew has discarded Athyrium, Polystichum, Lastrea,and Blechnum, for Asplenium,
Aspidium, Nephrodium, and Lomaria. Several of my Fern friends say this is
wrong, though Moore has convinced me that such alterations are not without
reason. ox will not be hard on our errors, as some twenty years ago you
followed Moore in ‘Our Native Ferns.’”

+ gee, el Sa Cle
8 : i. eR oat

SFepe
LASTS,

ats 7SE BHAROS,

AB Ys

esa i

John E.Mappl®”

EDWIN FYDELL FOX

Epwin Fyprtt Fox was born on April 20, 1814, at
Brislington House, near Bristol. He adopted the medical
profession, and passed his examinations with distinction. His
specialty was mental disease, and he was considered very
clever in his profession in cerebral complaints. Mr. Fox was
the medical man in attendance at the Brislington Lunatic
Asylum. He died March 12, 1891, and was buried at the
Rookery Cemetery, Brislington, belonging to the Fox family,
and formerly the property of the Society of Friends.

Mr. Fox began cultivating Ferns in 1869, when he made
the acquaintance of Colonel Jones; he took up the subject
with great interest and zeal, and formed a very large collection
of plants.

He began crossing Ferns in 1884, and was eminently
successful. It is difficult to separate what he did from what
was done by Colonel Jones, as there was a kind of partnership
in their experiments. Colonel Jones often brought mixtures
of spores to sow, and eventually the spoils were divided.
Among the best successes were three Lady Ferns—Evelyna,
Nelle, and Helena: these Mr. Fox named after members of
his own family, saying that he “would set an example that
long descriptive Latin names were not now to be tolerated,
although he himself had been a culprit, having been led astray.”
He used to declare that had he known twenty years ago what
he then knew, that varieties of British Ferns were going to
be more like swarms of Bees than Solitary Wasps, he should

have set an example earlier. His great favourite was A spedium
177 M

178 FERN GROWING

aculeatum, and he crossed its varieties in as many ways as
their limited number permitted, being rewarded by raising
good varieties. It was Mr. Fox who sowed decompositum-
splendens, and produced those marvellous plumose forms of
divistlobum of Asprdium angulare, but how he had accom-
plished this he was not able to say; in fact for a long time
he could not believe that Colonel Jones had given him a-
compositum-splendens spores. After another sowing, when
others, gathered from the same plant and mixed with spores
of dolydactylus, had produced polydactylous forms of dzvzszlobum,
he' was convinced. He raised a very fine variety from the
author’s euprepes. One day when the author was dining with
him he spoke with great confidence as to a number of
seedlings that were beginning to show marked peculiarities,
although yet infants; a few days after, he wrote saying that
if alive and well in June, when new fronds had been de-
veloped, he should like to thoroughly examine every one
of them, adding (although then well), “If I should die before
then, come at once and take these seedlings away with you.”
A very few days afterwards he had passed away, and these
seedlings were added to the Shirenewton collection by Miss
Fox’s desire.

Mr. Fox found a good fertile form of Scolofendrium
vulgare var. crispum, from the spores of which the author
has raised distinct varieties. His sterling and far-seeing
abilities made it a pleasure to visit him at his hospitable
home; it was impossible to spend even an hour there with-
out gaining some useful knowledge, or without feeling that
he also appreciated what others were doing. Mr. Fox was
a firm believer in multiple parentage. He used to say that he
had been a microscopist for more than sixty years, and had
worked out very difficult problems, but that they were all as
nothing in comparison with the chance of detecting, by
microscopic aid, the impregnation of a Fern in a conclusive

FERN GROWING 179

manner ; ‘It could, however, be seen by overwhelming evidence,
this was accomplished ; and although specialists might hesitate,

it was nevertheless a truth that would have to be acknow-
ledged.”

Mr. E. F. Fox, writing soon afterwards, remarks: “I am_ altogether
with you as regards the use of English names for varieties, in fact I have
adopted it in Evelyna and Nellie, two of my newest seedlings, and with
others, since Colonel Jones and yourself had such a long interesting dis-
cussion in my house. Your last experiments on multiple germs and sperms
have only again proved what you had previously asserted. Colonel Jones
and myself have repeated most of your work, and have proved that you
had accomplished this when you exhibited a gradation of varieties, the
result of mixed spores from any two varieties; for had impregnation taken
place in the manner specialists describe (7.¢, one germ and one sperm),
you could not have produced a gradation of forms; and as to the notion
that the results were from former crosses, if this were true you could raise
seedlings with characters totally unlike what was sown. Occasionally
rogues will appear that have nothing to do with the spores sown. Your
plan of brushing loose spores from the fronds, after having been pressed
for a day, gets rid of stray spores without destroying many of those
belonging to the frond. Hankey, Moly, Cowburn, and Fred Stansfield
support your views; but our friend Wollaston (?)—well, he begs to differ.
Your new Handbook is admirable. I am delighted to see that you have
stated Adbotte to be an Aculeatum, it certainly is one, though poor Jones
called it an Angulare.”

Although well on in years, he worked with keen interest
to the last, leaving others to finish what he had so well
begun.

MAJOR THOMAS BRETT COWBURN

Major Tuomas Bretr Cowszurv, J.P., was born at Syden-
ham, in Kent, on the 16th of November 1839. He came to
reside at Boughspring, Tidenham, near Chepstow, in May 1856.
He was gazetted to the 52nd Light Infantry, December 19,
1857; went to India at the time of the Indian Mutiny in
1858, landed at Kurachee, Bombay, and marched to Delhi.
He was in Central India five years, and came home with
his regiment, then ordered to Limerick. Major Cowburn left
the regiment in 1868, but in 1869 was appointed Adjutant of
the rst Monmouthshire Rifle Volunteer Corps (2nd Volunteer
Battalion of the South Wales Borderers), and continued Adju-
tant till 1885. He married Fanny Sophia Morgan, daughter
of Thomas Henry Morgan, Esq., in 1869, and went to reside
at Dennel Hill in 1869.

Major Cowburn did not begin to grow Ferns until the
beginning of 1888, though he was passionately fond of them,
and used to express regret that he had not studied Ferns
when in India, as he was in the midst of these lovely plants ;
he had been then more attracted by the flowering plants, and
had brought some home with him. His fine collection of
hothouse and herbaceous plants at Dennel Hill evidenced his
great love for flowers. Although British Ferns did not
occupy Major Cowburn’s attention until 1888, he at once
threw his whole energy into raising crossed varieties, re-
peating and extending the author’s experiments, and doing
this in so thorough a manner that, had his life been spared,
great things would have been accomplished. Many of his

FERN GROWING 181

seedlings are only now showing their true characters, and it
is gratifying to know that Mrs. Cowburn has continued the
cultivation of her husband’s collection, and is taking intense
interest in their welfare. Only last week the author received
from her fronds of a seedling Lady Fern that is a distinct
lax form of setigerum, and this was from spores that Major
Cowburn had sown.

At Mr. E. F. Fox’s death the Brislington collection was
sold, and some of the choicest varieties were purchased for
Dennel Hill.

Major Cowburn found those beautiful crisp Hart’s-tongues
now known as Cowdurnz on one of his own walls at Dennel
Hill; it is to him also that we are indebted for the intro-
duction of Mrs. Boyle’s Nephrodium paleaceum var. crispulum,
as well as for other important finds. The author received
valuable aid from Major Cowburn in many ways, especially
in hints as to what should be tested as exhaustive experiments,
and the author always looked forward with pleasure to his
visits, and he knew this was reciprocated.

Major Cowburn took great interest in the Fern Con-
ference, and accompanied the author to give assistance. He
also took a leading part, in conjunction with other lovers of
Ferns, in the 1892 Fern Show of the Royal Horticultural
Society ; but he had died before the Show took place, and his
loss was deeply deplored. He was a kind and cheerful com-
panion, a wise magistrate, and took great interest in the welfare
of his less fortunate neighbours; a true and hospitable friend,
and a good man.

ABRAHAM CLAPHAM

AspRAHAM C.rapHaAM resided on the South Cliff, Scar-
borough, where he had a valuable collection of Ferns. He
was very fond of Fern-hunting, and at one time this
occupied much of his time. Although for some years he
could not be induced to believe in the possibility of crossing
Ferns, nevertheless he raised a number of good varieties,
and satisfied his own views with the belief that these certain
varieties were apt to sport. Many of his best Ferns were
in a Fern-house, and although he was very careful in
isolating his spore-pans, what he called rogues had been
deposited on the fronds from which he gathered his spores,
and this must have been the cause of variation. More
recently he became convinced that Ferns could be crossed,
commenced raising seedlings, and produced grand varieties of
Polypodium vulgare. Mr. Clapham’s name will always be
associated with Asplentum Trichomanes var. incisum, as a
form of this which he found, and known as Claphamz, is the
most beautiful plumose Maiden-hair Spleenwort known. The
capitate forms of the Sea Spleenwort originated from a
variety found by him on the sea-cliffs north of Scarborough.
From his Lady Fern proteum crossed with Vuctorie the
author was able to raise many fine cruciate forms, and that
marvellous Lady Fern acrocladon found at Castle Howard
was in his fine collection. For many years this was sterile
and very rare. Mr. Clapham eventually detected a few spores,
and raised a number of prothalli, but he could not change
them into their frond life ; he sent some to the author, asking

182

FERN GROWING 183

for other prothalli to be planted with them, as he thought
they were without male organs. A portion were treated as
requested, and a portion planted separately ; from the former
the author produced crossed varieties, and from the latter
nine plants like acrocladon, proving that this apprehension was
unfounded.

For a few years Mr. Clapham left Scarborough and resided
in London ; it was then that he parted with many of his Ferns,
Colonel Jones, Mr. Barnes, and the author receiving his best ;
still, he could not relinquish his favourite pursuit, and occupied
himself in raising seedling varieties. He hunted many parts of
Yorkshire, the English Lakes, and Scotland, and he even found
some varieties in Brittany.

Mr. Clapham was fond of trout-fishing, and used to combine
this sport with Fern-hunting. He had also a natural taste for
ornithology, and had a particularly fine collection of Hawks and
Owls.

Since his death the author has lost sight of his family,
and has no means of giving other details; he believes, how-
ever, that he descended from the Claphams of Settle, as he
always spoke of Ingleborough as the home of his younger
days. He lived to a good old age.

Mr. Clapham was one of the author’s oldest friends, for it is
nearly forty years since he first knew him. He was always
willing to assist, and did contribute largely to his collection.
Starting at a time when Ferns were not cultivated, except by
very few, he may justly be called one of the pioneers of this
interesting branch of inquiry.

JOHN E. MAPPLEBECK

Joun E. MappLeseck was born at Birmingham, June 23,
1842. When twelve years of age he began pressing fronds,
and spent much of his playtime in arranging dried specimens ;
but it was in 1859 that he was struck with the mania for
collecting Ferns, partly excited through seeing a splendid lot
of rare species brought by his sister from Kendal. After a
time he thought there was great pleasure to be derived from
the varieties which were not then very numerous. In 1862
Mr. Mapplebeck started propagating from spores, sowing two
or three varieties together, but scarcely anticipating the results
which took place. In 1863 he went to New Zealand for three
years, and on his return found that some new varieties had
sprung from his 1862 spore-sowing ; and after that he continued
the experiments, and making friends with several prominent
Fern authorities, he got together a fine collection of new
varieties, with which to experiment; while he was particularly
indebted to his best of friends, the late Colonel Jones, whose
death was a severe loss to him, for spores of many of the new
varieties.

From 1868 to 1884 most of Mr. Mapplebeck’s spare time
was devoted to hybridising Ferns, by mixing two or three
varieties, and the result gave him the greatest possible surprise
and satisfaction ; he mixed different sfeczes also together scores
of times, but never raised a hybrid.

In 1873 Mr. Mapplebeck was elected a Fellow of the
Linnean Society.

About 1888, owing to the illness of his wife, his atten-
184

FERN GROWING 185

tion and anxiety were devoted to her, and on her subsequent
death he was too depressed to take that ardent interest in
Ferns, the pursuit of which previously had been one of the
greatest pleasures of his life. In 1891 Mr. Mapplebeck left
Hartfield, Moseley, near Birmingham, for his present residence,
Bronddwynant, near Dolgelly, North Wales, taking with him
his best Ferns, and distributing vast numbers of others among
his friends. In 1892 he married again; but his second wife
died June 23, 1893, and his son was born on that day. It
is a singular coincidence that he also was born on June 23.
There are two daughters by his first wife. Mr. Mapplebeck
has still a large collection of Ferns, but not such an extensive
one as formerly.

Among the best of Mr. Mapplebeck’s wild-finds are
A splenium Filix-femina var. caudiculatum, and robusto-multt-
fidum (Moore), ertstato-congestum, Mapplebeckit (Lowe), Nephro-
dium paleaceum var. Mapplebeckit (Lowe), Lomaria Spicant var.
ramoso-marginata, and Asfidium angulare vars. acrocladon,
guacratum-reflexum, folroso-filipes, and pulcherrimum (the latter
found by him close to Mr. Moly’s house near Charmouth).

From the large number of varieties that have been raised
by Mr. Mapplebeck, the author can only quote the very best,

viz :—
Pteris aquilina vars.—

grandiceps glomerato-cristata
Flartieldit » grandiceps
vamo-cristata grandiceps- Mapplebechti

Asplenium Filixfemina vars.—

achillafolium eulophon Gilsonie-furcans
caput-Meduse Elizabethe paucidentatum
cephalomanes frabelliceps pulchello-plumosum
ceratophyllum Jrabellato-grandiceps Quiltert
ceratophylloides Jiabellifolium-tenue ramulosissimum
comicum Srexile Spicatum
Craigtt-glomeratum = Jeniculatum-dispar torto-cristatum

Aefecto-sectum Gilsoniaflabellatum

186 FERN GROWING

Between 1868 and 1872 Mr. Mapplebeck was a very
successful exhibitor at the Royal Horticultural Society, and a
friendly rivalry existed between himself and the author,
sometimes one winning and sometimes the other; but it is to
his independent experiments on crossing Ferns that we owe
him so much, as he began only seven years later than the
author, and long before any one else had thought it possible
to cross Ferns. He is the only one now alive of the portrait
group of hybridisers.

EDWARD JOSEPH LOWE

Epwarp JoserpH Lowe, J.P. and D.L. both of Notting-
hamshire and Monmouth, surviving son of Alfred Lowe, J.P.
for Nottinghamshire, born at Highfield House, in the county
of Nottingham, November 11, 1825, and removed to Shire-
newton Hall, Monmouthshire, in 1880.

Elected F.R.S. in 1867; F.R.A.S. in 1848; F. Roy. Met. Soc. on April
3, 1850 (one of the Founders); F.G.S. in 1853; F.L.S. in 1857; F.R.H.S.
in 1872 (as Honorary Life Fellow).

Hist. Nat. Nov. Ebor. et Lit. et Phil. Manc. Mem. Corr.

Member of the Conchological Society.

Hon. Secretary of the British Association at Nottingham Meeting, 1866.

Hon. Secretary of the Royal Horticultural Society at Nottingham Meeting,
1872.

Past Worshipful Master of the Royal Sussex Lodge of Freemasons.

Hon. Member of Nottingham Ancient Order of Oddfellows, and Acting
Grand Master of England in 1866.

For many years Meteorological Observer for the Registrar-General, and
reporter of Daily Telegraphs to Admiral Fitzroy and the Meteorological Office
of the Board of Trade.

Discoverer of a new British Worm (Megascolex rigida, Baird).

Author of Our Native Ferns, British and Exotic Ferns, New and Rare
Ferns, British Ferns and where found, British Grasses, Beautiful Leaved
Plants, Conchology of Nottingham, Climate of Nottingham, Atmospheric Phenomena,
Magazine of Natural Phenomena, Earthquake of October 6, 1863, Cycle of the
Seasons, Barometrical Tables of Corrections, Meteorology of Morton's Farmer's
Calendar, Meteorological Instruments (Orr’s Circle of the Sctences), &¢.

Many of the illustrations are from Photographs by H. L. P.
Lowe, J.P.

187

INDEX

INDEX

ABNORMAL Ferns, 140
Adiantum Capillus-Veneris, 74, 164
Allosorus crispus, 4
Animals and birds, 13
Antheridia, 29, 130, 134
Apospory in Ferns, 68
Archegonia, 29, 130, 134
Aspidium aculeatum, 13, 17
i angulare varieties, 3, 17, 33, 83, 88, 121, 123

‘3 +3 var. Baldwint, 28, 151
a8 45 var. decompositum-splendens, 149, 152
55 i var. zmbricatum, 28, 151

var. plumoso-divistlobum, 28, 37, 150
Nepean eietath 5, 98, 120
i Lilix-femina, 5, 169

55 % varieties, 29, 82, 84, 85, 88, 102, 112, 113, 114, 115,
121, 122
9 marinum, 76, 121, 160

53 Trichomanes, 116, 159
Assimilation in Ferns, 64, 134, 137
Athyrium Filix-femina, 5

Blechnum Spicant, 5
Bower, Professor, F.R.S., on Fern-crossing, 35
British Association, 1867, ‘‘ Abnormal Ferns,” 15, 26, 27

- ‘i 1891, ‘‘ Ferns and their Multiple Parents,” 38
. 1866, Floral Féte Certificates for Ferns, 57
” 9 1888, ” ” ” Pd 60

1891, ‘ Prothalli and Propagation of Ferns,” 36
<Byitiah Hemns, habitats of, 154, 167
Bulbiferous Ferns, 28, 37, 153

CERTIFICATES of Merit, and First-Class Certificates for Ferns :—
Adiantum Capillus- Venerts, 44, 45, 50, 51, 58
Aspidium aculeatum, 44, 45, 50, 51, 57, 58, 60, 61
” angulare, 44, 46, 50, 51, 52, 53. 54, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62
Asplenium Adiantum-nigrum, 46, 50, 52, 57; 58
Fr Ceterach, 46, 50
193 N

194 INDEX

Asplenium Filix-feemina, 44, 46, 47, 50, 52, 57; 58, 60, 61, 62
» — Marinum, 47, 50, 54, 57, 58
5 Trichomanes, 50, 54, 57, 58
Cystopteris fragilis, 50, 54, 62
Hymenophyllum unilaterale, 47, 50
Lomaria Spicant, 50, 54, 58, 60
Nephrodium abbreviatum, 60
i amulum, 61
9 Filix-mas, 51, 54, 58
o montanum, 51, 54, 60
A paleaceum, 44, 47, 57, 60, 61
” spinulosum, 44, 47, 51, 54,57: 58
Osmunda regalis, 47, 51, 54, 56
Polypodium vulgare, 51, 54, 55, 57, 58, 60
Pteris aguilina, 51, 55
Scolopendrium vulgare, 45, 47, 48, 49) 50, 51, 55, 57; 59, 61, 62
Trichomanes radicans, 45, 61
Change of Fern names, 4
“Choice British Ferns,” 147
Clapham, Abraham—Memoir, 182
Classes of Fern varieties, 7
Cowburn, Major—Memoir, 180
Crossing Ferns, 62, 70, 73
53 Flowers, 33, 40, 71, 72, 129
Cryptogramme crispa, 4, 163
Cultivation of Ferns, 158
Cystopteris, 164

Depuctions from Experiments, 135
Difference of species and varieties, 157
Discoveries, Botanical, 10

Doctrine of probability, 21, 65, 132

EvoLuTIon of sex, 129
Experiments, 73-135

FERNERIES, past and present, 2, 167
Fernery, 158
Fern houses, 169 ; hunting, 154; labels, 148; pedigree, 30; potting of, 141, 148,
164; robbers, 3; workers, 9
Ferns, requirements of different species, 161
»» propagation from a capitate head, 153
» watering of, 147, 166
Fertilisation of Ferns, 33 ; of flowering plants, 34

INDEX 195

Filmy Fern-pit, 160, 169
Flowers and Ferns, 164
Fox, E. F.—Memoir, 177
Fungus, 146

GERMINATION of spores, 169
Greenhouse, 169

Hysrip ASPIDIUM, 6, 12, 17, 18, 26, 80
» Foreign Fern, 17

Hybridisers, 131

Hybrids, 13, 16, 38, 157

INSECTS, 134, 141
Jones, Colonel A. M., 173
KILLARNEY FERNS, cultivation of, 160

LaspeELs, 148

Ladybird, use of, 144
Lastrea, 6

List of British Ferns, 172
Lomaria Spiant, 5, 120
Lowe, E. J., 187

Lundy Island Ferns, 156

Mate and female organs, 11
Mapplebeck, J. E.—Memoir, 184
Microscopical examinations, 133
Milesia polypodid (Fern fungus), 146
Multiple impregnation, 63, 65, 67, 117
” parentage, 35, 92, 94, 97, 99, 105, 108, 112

Narcissus, 164

Nephrodium abbreviatum, 6, 90, 161
sf filix-mas, 6, 14, 90, 119, 122, 161
95 montanum, 121

paleaceum, 6, 30, 33, 90, 161

55 vemotum, 14, 26

Spinulosum, 103, 123, 124, 126, 162

. OGSPORES, 134
Osmunda regalts, 120, 159

PERSPIRATION of Ferns, 130
Polydactylous Ferns, 31

196 INDEX

Polypodium, 121, 163, 164

Polystichum, 6

Potting, 141, 148, 164, 165

Prothalli, dividing the, 36, 64, 116, 123, 128, 130
3 in the dark, 140
3 with several plants, 84, 85, 102

Prothallus, 11, 32, 40, 134

Pieris aquilina, 163

REPRODUCTION, mode of, 133
Royal Botanic Society Certificates, 57
Royal Horticultural Society Certificates of Merit, 44
” » e Fern Conference, 22
” ” 7 Fern Exhibition of 1890, 23, 41
” ” 4 First-Class Certificates, 45
» 3 m Hybrid Ferns and crossed varieties, 24
” 5 Medals, 42

Scolopendrium vulgare variety crispum, 8, 33; variety crispum-Cowburni, 170

oo 7 varieties, 39, 67, 90, 92, 94, 97; 99, 103, 105, 108, Log

115, 116, 17, 120, 121, 123

Scott, Dr. D. H., F.R.S., on Fern-crossing, 34
Skipjack, the, 125 ; impregnation by aid of, 128, 135, 142
Slugs and slug-traps, 143, 144
Soil, 139
Spermatozoids, 134
Spores, raising plants from, 2; mixing, 12-39; self-sown, 70,168; sowing, 27,137,141
Sterile Ferns, 8, 170
Sterility of hybrids, 13, 171

Testacella haleotidea and T. Mauge?, useful slugs, 143
Todea, 161

VaRIATION in vigour of Ferns, 156
Variegated Ferns, 31, 97
Vegetable pests, 145

WATERING Ferns, 147, 166

Wild Fern varieties, 10, 68
Willesden waterproof shading, 141
Wire gauze in lieu of glass, 141

Printed by BALLANTYNE, HANSON & Co,
Edinburgh and London