263 



culture we suggest the former, especially Trichomancs 

 i'adicans, the Kiilarney Fern, and one or two native 

 Hymenophyllums, H. tiinhvidgense and unilateralc, while 

 if the case be a large one nothing finer can be imagined 

 than a specimen of Todea supevba as a central object with 

 the others around it. For such a group a rude rockery 

 must be constructed by heaping up the soil into a mound 

 and inserting lumps of sandstone or other porous rock all 

 over the surface. The Todea can be simply planted in 

 the centre in the ordinary way, but the others should be 

 tied on to the rock pieces, spreading their running roots 

 or rootstocks over their faces. Mulch them with a little 

 more compost so as to bury the roots, and finally, when 

 all is finished, drench the surface well in such a way as to 

 wash the mulching in, and so expose the rootstocks again 

 to the air. Selaginellas look very pretty for a time, but 

 grow as a rule too freely, and hence, if used, it is better to 

 grow them separately as representative specimens rather 

 than with other plants which they are apt to overrun. 

 Where a good north light is available the same rockery 

 system can be utilised for a group of dwarf or small 

 species of hardy Ferns, all the varieties of the Maidenhair 

 Spleen worts [Aspleninm tvichoinanes) doing well if planted 

 in chinks on the slope facing the light. A group of the 

 crested, incised, and other fine varieties of this species 

 would fill a case to great advantage, and, space permit- 

 ting, there are some charming dwarf Lady Ferns, Male 

 Ferns, and Hartstongues which would do capitally as 

 associates. Here, however, a word of warning as to 

 watering may well be interpolated. Never wet the fronds 

 at all is a good rule. Even the filmy Ferns are better 

 without if the case be kept close. The fronds have little 

 or no chance of drying when once wet, and hence any 

 decay is apt to spread. 



Chas. T. Druery, F.L.S., \'.M.H. 



{1^0 be continued.) 



