THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 197 



banks for ferns is much better than building them first and then 

 filling in the crevices afterwards. It is very 3eldom that when the 

 latter method is adopted, the ferns have enough to feed upon, and in 

 consequence perish from starvation. 



A certain amount of taste and judgment is necessary in arrang- 

 ing the plants to produce an artificial effect. All the tall-growing 

 sorts should not be arranged at the back and the dwarfs in front, or 

 the bank will have a tame, formal appearance; neither must tho 

 largest be placed in front to shut the small ones out. The most 

 simple way is to plant the tall strong growers in groups by them- 

 selves, and the same with the dwarfs. The more delicate kinds 

 should be planted on the points that project out, to prevent their 

 being smothered, and the drooping and upright growers placed 

 alternately. Beyond these hints I must leave the arrangement to 

 the planter's taste. 



For pot culture the same soil should be used for potting as 

 recommended above, leaving out the sandstone. One shift in March 

 will generally carry the plants through the season. The pots must 

 be well drained, and the soil filled in firm. Beyond that, the treat- 

 ment differs very little from that required by those planted out. 



It is a difficult matter to deal with the watering, because I 

 cannot say how much or how often water should be applied. Once 

 a week will be enough for those planted out, but those in pots will 

 require looking over every day, and ought to be watered whenever 

 the soil is dry. Three or four times a week in the growing season 

 will be sufficient, but in the winter, so long as the soil is moist, no 

 water will be wanted. Over-watering at any time, particularly in 

 the winter, will do considerable injury to the health of the plants. 

 On the other hand, the plants must not suffer from drought ; even 

 the deciduous kinds, in the winter, must not be allowed to get dust 

 dry. Sufficient air must be admitted to prevent the fronds becom- 

 ing drawn up thin and spindly ; but beyond that no ventilation will 

 be required. If in very smoky districts, a woollen net ought to be 

 stretched across the openings for admitting air, to prevent the 

 admission of " blacks," which get on the fronds and do considerable 

 damage. A gentle sprinkle overhead once a day in the growing season 

 wiil keep the fronds fresh and clean, and promote a luxuriant growth. 



Let us now consider the best sorts to plant. I have used the 

 term " hardy " advisedly, because if I had confined myself strictly 

 to ferns indigenous to this country, I should have been bound to 

 omit many worthy objects that are little known and deserving more 

 general cultivation. I shall not name any high-priced sorts, a3 

 there are more than enough to make beautiful such a house as I 

 have had in my mind's eye thus far, without paying an extravagant 

 rate for them. I should like to add a few descriptive remarks, but 

 that is entirely out of the question, as it would take up more space 

 than I can lay claim to. I shall be careful in naming such only 

 as are distinct and good in their respective genera. There need, 

 therefore, be no fear of selecting, ad lib., from the accompanying 

 list :— 



Taking the British species first, we have the pretty little Maiden- 



