6 THE FLORAL WOELD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



first, it should be said, that in planting, a good mixture, usually 

 consisting of turfy peat, torn up to the size of walnuts, with a good 

 proportion of silver sand and broken flower-pots added, was intro- 

 duced for the ferns to root in. The strong growers soon found 

 their way into the loam, of which the bulk of the bank in front 

 and the filling of the wall consist. In a few cases a mixture of 

 broken stone, broken flower-pots, and sandy peat was used. 



The Adiantums are all planted against the end wall, which is 

 most shaded, and their fronds spring out in lovely tufts. They grow 

 very luxuriantly, and contribute greatly to the beauty of the scene. 



Aspleniiim adiantiim nigrum and A. marlnum are planted on 

 the back wall, near the door, where they have plenty of air, as 

 the door is kept open very inuch in summer-time ; they have both 

 grown more luxuriantly than I have ever seen them otherwise, 

 whether in pots, eases, or open-air fernery. It is quite worth while 

 to build a house expressly for growing such ferns as these, as there 

 is secured for them a Devonshire or south of Europe climate, and 

 any degree of shade and moisture required. 



Allosorus crispiis is a troublesome fern to grow, under any cir- 

 cumstances. I never thoroughly succeeded with it till I planted it 

 in a pocket near the door, in a mixture of peat, sand, and broken 

 stone. In watering, care should be taken not to throw water with 

 any degree of force on this fern, as the fronds are apt to snap off 

 close to the crown. 



Athyrium f.f. and A. f.f. crispa make magnificent plants in 

 suitable positions in a house of this sort. Here, again, the per- 

 fection of the true Lady-fern amply repays one for the cost of the 

 structure. My best plant of Lady-fern may be seen in the picture, 

 forming a distinct bold tuft on the end wall, a little to the right of 

 the Platycerium, and just below it. A. f.f. Frizelllce is also good 

 and distinct, and it ought to stand somewhat apart from other ferns, 

 to show its character fully. 



Ctiterach officinarum occupies a small pocket near the door, mid- 

 way between the roof and the ground : it grows superbly ; I never 

 could do it so well in a pot or on an open-air rockery. 



Davnllia canariensis thrives in a very shady position on the end 

 wall. It has a large pocket, and the tawny claws spread out over 

 the face of the wall in a very grotesque manner. I turned out a 

 large plant for the purpose, and it has succeeded admirably. This 

 fern always requires to be rather dry at the root : excess of moisture 

 is death to it. 



Cyrtomium falcatum is on the bank in front, and may be seen in 

 the figure, throwing its "laurel-leaf-like" fronds finely above the 

 tufts which surround it. 



Oyvinogramma leptopJiylla has established itself. In 1863, a pot 

 plant was placed in the house for a few weeks, and afterwards re- 

 moved. In the spring following, a few plants made their appearance 

 from self-sown spores, and since then it has held its own, and is a 

 great adornment where it occurs on ledges and in chinks. The 

 Doodias we have in the same way, and appear in plenty from self- 

 sown spores ; D. cmidata being most addicted to this good habit. 



