A FERN PARADISE AT HOME. in 



looks out upon nothing but brick walls, which 

 tower up high and blot out the 1 sun's rays. The 

 occupants of these houses are often bound, by the 

 exigencies of business, to make their homes for 

 weary months in these shadowy dwelling-places. 



Why, then, do they not bring the beautiful ferns 

 into requisition ? What exquisite grace would be 

 shed over every room in a house, if every available 

 space were occupied by the feathery fronds of these 

 beautiful plants! on tables and sideboards; on 

 mantelpieces and on window-sills ; hanging from 

 window-rods ; on the landing of the stairs ; in the 

 hall ; in the bed-rooms everywhere in fact. Why 

 not ? Without any curtailment of necessary space, 

 without any inconvenience, these beautiful plants 

 might be so arranged as that every house, " be it 

 never so humble," might become a "Fern Paradise." 

 The hardier kinds, if kept within doors, will survive 

 the winter, and look fresh and green throughout ; 

 and the more delicate and fragile of the species 

 may be preserved in all their natural freshness 

 under a covering of glass. Plant them in a case, 

 and cover them with a shade, and then you will 



