THE PARLOR FERNERY 



Ferneries will be found on sale at most 

 seed stores and among the plant dealers. These 

 as a general thing, consist of an iron frame 

 with glass sides and top, covering a pan filled 

 with soil in which the plants are grown. They 

 are, as a usual thing, so small that one good- 

 sized plant will fill them, and therefore the 

 person who is fond of variety would not be 

 likely to be satisfied with them. Such a fern- 

 ery, however, makes a charming ornament 

 for the parlor if it contains but one good speci- 

 men of some beautiful Fern, with a carpet of 

 feathery Lycopodium covering the soil about 

 it. Half a dozen small plants can be grown 

 in a case twelve by eighteen in size but one 

 large plant will be more satisfactory. 



In buying a case in which to grow a Fern 

 of upright habit, be sure to get one that is high 

 enough to admit of full development without 

 the plant coming in contact with the glass of 

 the top. Moisture will condense there, and if 

 the delicate fronds are obliged to touch the wet 

 glass and remain against it, they will soon 

 blacken and decay. 



In filling a fernery, be sure that your soil is 

 very light and spongy. If full of fine, fibrous 

 roots, all the better. It is absolutely necessary 



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