The Washington herald., 1911-08-13
MIDSUMMER RAMBLE
HUNTING FOR FERNS
Is Delightful Expedition for
the Woman
WHO LOVES THE WILD WOOD
She VIII Not Only Spend Many
Restful Hours, hut II She Sets
Ont serioasIy and with Proper
Equipment May Bring BenutIes
of the Woods to Home Yard.

| Midsummer is the time for woodland
excursion that has for its object the
hunting and grubbing for wild ferns. Be-
| tween June and September the cryptic
gains are in their greenest glory and
| there Is largest variety to select from.
II the roots can be taken out intact
fern. can be transplanted Just as success
fully when 1t has put forth its fullest
and finest fronds as when 1t is a mere
baby sprout hardly to be recognized
among a tangle Of other roots and ver-
dure.
II you set out on a serious fern hunt,
take with you more substantial tools
than an old table fork or a fractured
strawberry hoe. Some of the large grow
ing ferns defy the leverage OF small
hand tools, and to handle them success
fully a three-pronged fork and a strong
clasp knife are necessary. When the
fern must be taken out with a large
portion Of its native soil. as is generally
the case, a spade fs indispensable.
On hot day, when your excursion
may prove a matter of five or six hours
a wicker basket with lid Is a wise
precaution. Ferns exposed to the hot
sun when parted from their native con-
ditions OF much shade and moisture die
quickly. Line your basket with dampen-
ed rhubarb or burdock leaves or place
wet leaf mold between the plants after
they are grubbed out and packed for
the home journey. The fronds generally
wither soon after planting, but when the
roots are properly treated a new crop Of
leaves soon succeeds the old ones.
Tropics the Chief Home.
There are said to be over 5000 botanic
ally classified ferns, which include most
ly the wonderfully rank and peculiar
kinds Of the tropics. But our familiar
domestic sort, which grow abundantly in
the marshes, meadows, and fence cor
ners of the Eastern and Central States,
AFFORD an ample and pleasing variety for
the shady side of your porch, summer
house, or north side window box.
The rue and maidenhair Is found most
ly in gritty soil where there is abun-
dant shade and the air is kept damp
by a neighboring brook or the vapor
from pond or lake. The latter has short,
black, wiry stalks and stringy roots,
which penetrate beneath stones and
fences and are difficult to extract with
out injury. A trowel is necessary to
lossen the soil so the roots can be traced.
The maidenhair is sensitive out Of its
native element, but when once you can
make II thrive 1t proves quite hardy.
The rue is easier to handle and can be
potted quite successfully, because the
roots are shorter and thicker. In point
OF beauty these two are generally first
favorites OF the fern hunter; the fronds
are OF the most delicate shade Of green
and Of fine. airy outlines.
The lady ferns and the common lastra,
which are found in the dripping hollows,
the slopes of river banks, and the hum
mocks Of swamps and marshes, grow to
much larger proportions, some Of them
attaining a height OF from three to five
feet. When fern Of this size Is to be
transplanted unusual care and diligence
are necessary to have 1t removed; a
large part of its native soil must accom-
pany it to it's new home, and 1t must
be watered carefully each day. The
fronds or crown OF the plant should be
sprayed lightly three or four times .
day, and the roots must not be drenched.
1t is much safer to cart or carry the
native soil than to depend on the mixed
formulas Of fern compost that may be
found in old gardening manuals. They
are not always reliable. and 1t is some
times hard to find all the requisite soil
ingredients near home.
Haresfoot In MoIdy Soil.
The farleyense and haresfoot ferns,
which grow fast and can be potted easily,
are found mostly in the moldy soil OF
thick forests.
a Suldll OuluOOT IerHcfy OI tIo WllO-
wood cryptograms is easily within the
reach Of the inexperienced fern lover;
that is, IL he will observe their native
habits.
A pile of rocks Of all sizes, from the
rough field stones down to pebbles and
grit, when kept moist by a distant foun-
tain spray, an artificial brook, or other
running water contrivance. would make
a simple and practical foundation for an
outdoor fernery. The ferns can be plant
ed in the crevices and hollow interstices
between the rocks with as much Of their
own soil as you can transport and find
necessary.
All ferns commonly love moisture, the
leaves absorb 1t and thrive on II as IL 1t
were food, while the roots themselves
may receive only minimum. Many of
the rank fern growths in marshes have
their roots in the high nummocks which
ffyalv dry