THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 7 



Onoclea sensiUUs grows grandly on the bank, aad is shown in the 

 figure in the right hand corner. The fronds avero^e two and a half feet 

 high, with an amplitude of tender green, and the fruit spikes are 

 produced in great plenty. It thrives well in the open-air fernery, 

 but never attains to such luxuriance as when planted out under glass. 



Pteris flabellata crispa is a magnificent fern, with light green 

 pectinated fronds, which attain to stately dimensions. It is planted 

 on the bank in front, and is now (Dec. 15) as fresh and bright as in 

 July, and still throwing up fronds, so that it must be nearly hardy. 



Pteris scaheruJa fills a suspended basket, and is one of the best 

 of ferns for the purpose : the fronds are most delicately and ele- 

 gantly divided. The best baskets I have ever had for this purpose 

 are some made of earthenware, which I obtained of Messrs. Hooper 

 and Co., of Covent Garden. There is only one objection to them, 

 that if they fall they break, but never if they do not fall. They 

 last any length of time, which is not the case with wire or wood. 

 The only safe way to keep the plants in health in baskets is to dip 

 them periodically. To trust to the syringe is a mistake. 



Platyceriam alclcorae has passed through two winters safely, and 

 grows well. The plant is on a very grotesque block of wood, sus- 

 pended against the end wall, where it appears to great advantage. 



Plilehodium sporodocarpum perished the first wdnter after planting. 

 The following spring I planted another, and took tlie precaution to 

 take it out, and pot it before winter, in order to keep it in a warm 

 house, returning it in spring again to the place it formerly occupied. 

 This treatment answers admirably, and it is a great gain to the 

 embellishment of the house, as the huge glaucous fronds and tawny 

 rhizomas of this fine fern render it very distinct and beautiful. It 

 has a grand appearance, springing from a recess in the rock. 



Polypodium aureum also perished in the first winter after plant- 

 ing; but as it could not be spared, on account of its noble character, 

 1 adopted the same plan as witli the last named, and with complete 

 success. With the exercise of proper care, ferns may be alternately 

 planted out and potted for the winter the same as bedding plants. 



Scolopendriums grow wonderfully fine in a house of this sort. I 

 have measured fronds on a plant of crispura eigliteen inches long, 

 and three and a half inches broad. The small and delicate varieties 

 would answer well to plant on ledges and in small pockets. 



Todea pelluckla grows far better in a cool house than in a hot 

 one, and keeps as green all winter as a hardy polystichum. There 

 is a plant in this house, placed low dowaa near the ground in a damp 

 shady position, in perfect health and beauty, quite at home, and if 

 allowed a few years' growth will no doubt make a grand specimen. 



Woodwardia radicans is planted in the extreme corner, high up 

 near the roof, and is at liberty to root down as it pleases between 

 the burrs and the walls. The fronds fall over and hang down in front 

 of the rockwork, and have a most natural and noble appearance. 



Equisetum sylvaticum and E. telmaitiea thrive amazingly planted 

 near tbe ground. Their fairy-like elegance is delightful, and it is a 

 pity that fern-growers know so little about them. 



Selaginellas answer well to plant anywhere on ledges and in 



