This section is from the book "The Gardener's Monthly And Horticulturist V28", by Thomas Meehan. See also: Four-Season Harvest: Organic Vegetables from Your Home Garden All Year Long.
Maiden-hair ferns, or Adiantums, are very numerous; but few can compete with it in special beauty. But another unique one has appeared, which seems to have some merit equal to that of the Farley's Maiden-hair. Messrs. E. G. Henderson & Son, of London, thus refer to it:
"In introducing for the first time this lovely fern, which was raised in their establishment, E. G. H. & Son have no hesitation in saying, that never since the introduction of A. Farleyense, has anything approaching such a charming variety been introduced; in habit it is all that can be desired as a decorative plant, the fronds rising well from the crown, terminating into a graceful curve, forming quite a plume-like frond, while the pinnae, which is of moderate size, is beautifully cut, as in the way of A. Farleyense alcicorne, and in a young state; the centre of the same is of a golden-green, verging off into a paler shade, and changing to a deeper green as it approaches maturity; and in addition, when growing, it is deliciously fragrant, a few plants filling the house with a sweet perfume. Either as a valuable addition to a collection, or for exhibition or decoration, this remarkable novelty is certain to become the most popular Adiantum in cultivation. The fronds when cut, last a length of time; some which were cut as an experiment, remained in perfection more than a week in a warm room.
Being of a vigorous constitution, and of such surpassing elegance, it will quickly supersede the old favorite, A. cuneatum, for all purposes".
 
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