50 THE FLORIST. 



when it is mixed, spread it over the burs, covering every 

 part : when the cement is set, it looks like stone. We have 

 some done in this way which have been built twelve years 

 or more : it stands well, and is a good imitation of stone. 

 We have rock-work which is put together with cement, with- 

 out covering the burs ; this is not so expensive as the former, 

 but it ought to be made carelessly and rough, in imitation of 

 rocks. Some of the pieces should be so placed as to appear to 

 have been broken off others, which will make them appear as 

 if in their natural state ; some crevices should be left for the 

 small species to be planted in; also hollows or caves in different 

 parts, for the purpose of sheltering or otherwise favouring the 

 growth of the more tender varieties, as several of our native 

 Ferns are found in similar situations." 



We have seen Ferns introduced into gardens with excel- 

 lent effect. We could name a place not far from us where 

 there is a delightful little Fernery. In the centre of a lake 

 in the flower-garden is an island in the shape of a little hill, 

 or say exhausted volcano, whose crater, instead of throwing 

 up burning lava from its centre, yields cold spring water, 

 which flows over an elegant tazza into a circular basin below. 

 The rugged sides of this dell are planted with Ferns, and over 

 the top of all is thrown a wire canopy covered by the " queen 

 of flowers," altogether forming a retreat in which one might 

 expect a fairy to start from behind every plant, as did the 

 warriors of old from the shaggy mountain-side, so effectively 

 described in the Ladxj of the Lake. Be that as it may, how- 

 ever, it is a refreshing place to read a book in, or otherwise 

 spend a leisure hour, after viewing the widely-spread floral 

 beauties beyond the lake, which is crossed at a narrow part 

 by a rustic wooden bridge. In a boggy place in Kent, too, 

 we have seen the Royal Fern (Os?nunda regalis) introduced 

 with great effect by the side of a crystal brook which meanders 

 through the open lawn, its lively fronds contrasting admirably 

 with the more sombre evergreens around it. In fact, there is 

 no end of places where our common British Ferns may be 

 cultivated with great advantage ; and although with them we 

 cannot make our " odd corners" " blossom like the Rose," yet 

 we think we have said enough to induce our querists to try 

 their growth in the places whose appearance they complain 

 of, promising to return to the subject at a future time. In 

 the meanwhile, however, we would advise them to consult 

 Williams' book just alluded to, which will be found both use- 

 ful and interesting. 



