0BSE11VATI0NS UPON, AND CUL1UUE 01', FEHNS. 295 



that the face of the rock-work is formed somewhat circular too, in 

 order that the plants might be near enough to be inspected. I beg to 

 assure the readers hereof that this rockery is one of the most interest- 

 ing objects I ever saw in a plant-house. I have, within the last 

 four years, planted a number of suitable orchideae amongst the Ferns, 

 &c, and they do admirably so placed. I have my plant-house heated 

 by hot-water pipes, and a pipe is carried through the tank, and the 

 water is of a gentle tepid warmth, and gives a moist vapour to the 

 rock plants. I am careful to have the entire rockery watered, and in 

 all respects attended to as my pot plants are, and they very amply 

 repay for the attention. The soil I find all Ferns to thrive luxuriantly 

 in is rotten vegetable mould and sandy peat. I have the former col- 

 lected in the woods, under oak trees; in such compost I grow them, 

 whether in-doors or out in the open air. 



I have had a number of wire, wicker, and other rustic baskets 

 formed, in which I planted Ferns, and suspended them in sundry 

 places in my plant-house, and disposing them tastefully; they not only 

 do well, but appear neat and interesting. A few of the small and 

 neat Ferns planted at the sides of an orchidia basket, so suspended, is 

 very pretty. I have had several rustic portions of old decayed trees, 

 stumps, &c, placed in suitable situations in my pleasure-ground 

 under shade, and near to a walk, and in the hollows have planted 

 Ferns with great effect ; the shade, I find, always gives the fine lively 

 green hue, which is not to be attained in bright sunshine. A mo- 

 derate moist atmosphere is very beneficial to Ferns, and especially so 

 when grown in plant-houses. 



The wild specimens which are seen growing on the bank of a shady 

 ditch or brook always flourish best ; they there have the four essen- 

 tials — a moist, cool, "and shady situation, and a vegetable soil. Of 

 course the coolness only applies to growing in the open air; exotic 

 ones require a suitable temperature, but not a high one even there. 

 When Ferns are grown in pots, plenty of bits of turf, rotten wood, or 

 something of the kind, must be liberally supplied to form drainage, 

 and well rotted leaf mould and sandy heath soil form the compost ; 

 with these necessary recpuisites, and attention to situation, watering, 

 repotting, or replanting, this lovely tribe may be cultivated most satis- 

 factorily. 



