IN MY LADY'S GARDEN 



Without their rich verdure and graceful fronds the flowers 

 in a greenhouse lose much of their beauty, and it is only 

 possible to give to dainty blossoms their most perfect setting 

 where there are plenty of well-grown ferns to arrange amongst 

 them. 



Adiantums (maidenhairs) of many kinds are the most 

 popular favourites amongst the ferns ; but they are not by 

 any means the easiest to grow, unless the moist air of a fernery 

 be available, for their delicate lace-like fronds refuse to unfold 

 themselves in a hot dry atmosphere, and often shrivel away 

 in a warm room. But there are a few adiantums which are 

 not so fragile as the rest, and these should be chosen for a 

 greenhouse. A. fragrantissimum, with large graceful fronds ; 

 A. cuneatum, the ordinary maidenhair fern sold so largely 

 in our streets ; and A. Williamsi, a native of the higher 

 elevations of the Peruvian mountains, which is of a specially 

 robust constitution, being amongst them. A. pedatum, the 

 Canadian maidenhair, is, of course, hardy in a sense ; for it 

 survives the long severe winters of the northern parts of 

 America without difficulty. But it will not flourish in 

 England without glass, as it misses the snug covering of 

 snow to which it is accustomed, and dies for want of it if 

 planted in the garden. For a cold porch or greenhouse, 

 however, it is very useful ; and A. formosum, an Australian 

 fern of great beauty, is much more easily cultivated than the 

 ordinary maidenhair, reaching the height of 30 inches in a 

 warm moist atmosphere, although it will grow without much 

 warmth even in a room. 



The Davallias (hare's-foot ferns) are very distinct ; D. 

 bullata is the variety which is so much used for fern balls, 

 &c., by the Japanese, who have a special aptitude for con- 

 structing miniature floral arrangements, for which we, per- 

 haps, lack the necessary patience. This davallia is smaller 

 than that of the Canary Islands (D. canariense), but other- 

 wise very similar ; the rhyzomes it produces are bound to 

 the wire design, which is stuffed with moss soaked in some 

 chemical manure, and if the whole be kept constantly damp 

 the device will last for several years. Both of these davallias 



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