INTRODUCTION. XllI 



have placed Ceterach officinarum and Scolopendrium 

 vulgare side by side in the darkest shade and the 

 brightest sunhght; but Ceterach loves sun and 

 droughty Scolopendrium darkness and moisture ; so 

 where Scolopendrium thrives Ceterach pines^ and 

 where Ceterach thrives Scolopendrium pines. Thus, 

 by giving to each an abundant choice, you allow it 

 to suit itself with a congenial situation, which is even 

 better than condemning it to the result of your 

 observations, which may have been erroneous. 



Having introduced your Ferns on these principles of 

 adapting the situation to each, the next grand point 

 is to keep them well watered ; and this is best effected 

 by a garden-engine, from which, by a pressure of the 

 thumb on the stream, it may be made to descend in 

 an almost imperceptible shower, which is much more 

 beneficial than a heavy watering. If there has been no 

 rain during the day, the watering should be repeated 

 every evening during the summer; but when the 

 fronds have ceased to grow, when those which are 

 deciduous have disappeared, and those which are per- 

 sistent have assumed their full size and substance, then 

 should nothing more be done to urge them forward ; 

 for all require a period of rest, a season in which 

 the sap seems to circulate less freely, and a state of 

 sloth or torpidity supervenes; this cannot be disturbed 

 or hastened without injuring the strength and vigour 

 of the plant for the ensuing year. 



It will be found a great improvement to a fernery 

 to introduce a number of mosses and Marehantiae ; 



