Filix. See Filices, Botany Index.

Fern is very common in dry and barren places. It is one of the worst weeds for lands, and very hard to destroy where it has any thing of a deep soil to root in. In some grounds, the roots of it are found to the depth of eight feet. One of the most effectual ways to destroy it is often mowing the grass; and, if the field is ploughed up, plentifully dunging thereof is very good: but the most certain remedy for it is urine. However, fern, cut while the sap is in it, and left to rot upon the ground, is a very great improver of land.

In some places of the north, the inhabitants mow it green; and, burning it to ashes, make those ashes up into balls, with a little water. They then dry them in the sun, and make use of them to clean their linen with; looking upon it to be near as good as soap for that purpose.

Male Fern. See Polypodium, Botany Index. Female Fern. See Pteris, Botany Index.