quantity may generally be added with advantage. The compost 

 should be kept slightly moist, but not wet. In potting, the shards 

 must occupy at the least one or two inches of depth at the bottom ; 

 and it is better to place over them a thin layer of moss, to prevent 

 the soil from falling between and interfering with the ready 

 passage of the superfluous water. A few fragments of charcoal 

 should be placed over the moss ; and the soil being then thrown 

 in lightly around the root of the fern, and some pieces of stone 

 or slate forced into it vertically, the whole may be settled by 

 watering. 



Without referring to the variety of adaptations of which a fern 

 garden is susceptible on a large scale, either as ornamental, or as 

 affording place for the reception of species of every kind of habitat, 

 from the river-side and the swamp to the mountain-rock and the 

 church-tower, I will confine my suggestions as to out-door plant- 

 ing, within the compass attainable by those who have only a small 

 space wherein to operate. Selecting a spot in the garden sheltered 

 from the direct rays of the sun, but if possible not subject to the 

 drip from trees ; a bank of loose soil, or common garden-mould 

 mixed with brick-rubbish and old mortar, may be thrown up to 

 the height of from two to four feet above the general level ; in 

 which, when settled by the rain or copious watering, so as to avoid 

 farther sinking, excavations of different depths may be made for 

 the reception of those species that require the most moisture, 

 keeping up the surrounding soil with fragments of stone or burs 

 from the brick-kiln. In planting, it is sufficient, in a general way, 

 to supply the compost soil to the extent of five or six inches around 

 the ball of root, as most of the larger ferns readily spread their 

 radicles into the looser and rougher material of the bank. Around 

 the deeper and larger excavations for the marsh and flowering 

 ferns, a wall of loose porous stones or old bricks, with a mixture of 

 sandy peat and decayed mortar spread between them, will afford a 

 congenial site for the smaller rock species, especially those of the 



