296 THE FERN PARADISE. 



can here also be as elaborate and as artistic 

 as wealth may desire. Shady garden-walls may 

 thus be draped with ferny fronds. Embankments 

 can be thrown up to furnish abundant scope for 

 the development of the larger species of ferns: 

 deep cuttings may be made, whose sides may afford 

 a semi-subterranean hiding place for the smaller 

 species. Artificial rockery can be made in every 

 direction. Fountains may be introduced in order 

 more readily to supply the peculiar conditions 

 of moisture, without which some of the graceful 

 plants will not live or thrive. In the same way 

 the soil necessary for the successful culture of the 

 plants can be supplied; and the aspect can be 

 chosen with a due regard to the requirements 

 of nature. To the rich, expense would be no 

 object, and it would be lavished in the exercise 

 of a worthy taste. 



But it is important to remember costly 

 accessories to fern culture are not necessary. 

 The author would wish to see his ideal univer- 

 sally established. The most splendid elaboration 

 which art could suggest, would be overshadowed 



