Question
My mother had nurtured a Boston Fern for 30 years. It was a floral offering from a friend when my father passed away. My mother recently passed away and during her illness the plant was over looked. It suffers from lack of water. It has many brown frons, but there are some green frons left and I have begun to water the plant. I am compelled to save this plant if possible. What would you suggest.  

Answer
Nephrolepis exaltata hails from the tropical rainforests - it loves steamy, warm, humid air and is hardy only to Zone 9.  Yet, frost will not kill it, and unlike most ferns, this one will take periods of drought that would destroy most others.  Bad drainage and too much water will do more damage than water shortage.

Univ of Florida Coop Ext posts a page on this fern (http://hort.ufl.edu/shrubs/NEPEXAA.PDF), which grows wild in parts of the state.

Although by now you have watered this poor neglected specimen, note please that the worst thing you can do is soak it.  If you do, you will surely "drown" it - deprive what roots are still left of the Oxygen they need, while invigorating anaerobic bacteria and encouraging root-rot.  Water generously with lukewarm water; then let the pot dry out.  Hanging it in a kitchen window, away from direct sun but still in reach of bright light, will allow the soil to quickly dry.  Keep humidity at least merciful; this plant does not now have the root system it needs to compete with dry central heating, and if you find the remaining green fronds are turning crispy, it will be a sign that humidity was too low.

High Humidity.  Lukewarm water - applied to dry soil.  Bright light.  These will save your Boston Fern.

Good luck.  Keep me posted.