298 



they will do ; which, being explained, means that ferns 

 flourish where most other plants would fail. Once I 

 attempted a fernery in what seemed a very desirable 

 situation ; it had, however, a drawback which neutralised 

 everything else — the aspect was south. That experiment 

 resulted in wholesale failure. Choose some dark corner 

 where nothing will grow but the coarsest herbage, there 

 you may plant ferns with confidence, provided th^re is 

 shelter. Absolute shelter from wind, and plenty of shade, 

 these are what most ferns demand ; and they are also very 

 particular as to drainage. If the soil drains well ferns will 

 grow on the flat, but it is much safer to raise them, as the 

 most superficial study of the places they select for them- 

 selves will prove. 



If I were to be betrayed into writing about the heaufy of 

 our native ferns, it would involve another paper. I shall 

 therefore content myself with brief mention of the species 

 which are both the most accessible, and which yield the 

 finest forms. For sheer beauty, Athyvhim iilix fcemina, our 

 common Lady Fern, stands out ; its varieties are very 

 numerous; some of them, as A.f.f. plnmosiim supevhum 

 cristafum (Druery) may be said to rival any ferns in 

 existence. Given good shelter, Athyrium f.f. may be culti- 

 vated with ease. The varieties of Polypodimn vulgare are 

 numerous and beautiful to a degree, which the type would 

 never suggest. One of them has fitly been termed 

 TricJiomanoides, from its close resemblance to the fine 

 cutting of a Killarney Fern. Polypodiums grow best in 

 light soil, for preference leaf-mould, with a dash of lime 

 and rubble. They take time to establish themselves. 



A third species, which astonishes by the beauty of its 

 varieties, is the common Hartstongue, Scolopendrium 

 vulgare. The plumose varieties, S. v. crispicm, are ex- 

 ceedingly attractive. Lime in some form should be 

 introduced in planting. 



Finally, it would be difficult to speak too highly of 



