PART I.] CULTURAL 29 



THE ROCK-GARDEN FERNERY. 



It is the fashion to make the hardy fernery in some obscure 

 and sunless spot, in which it would be difficult to grow alpine 

 plants, but there is no reason why it should not be made in 

 more open positions, and as part of the rock-garden. No plants 

 adhere more firmly to vertical rocks, or better sustain themselves 

 in health without any soil, than some ferns. In a wild state 

 we find the Maidenhair Fern and many other species rooted 

 into little fissures in hard rocks. Some of our own small 

 British Ferns are found on the face of dry brick walls, when 

 they are not to be found growing on the ground, in the same 

 neighbourhood. 



The general idea is that Ferns want shade, humidity, and 

 sandy vegetable earth ; but, though these suit a great number 

 of Ferns, others thrive under conditions the very opposite. 

 The late M. Naudin, of the Institute, told me that the pretty 

 little sweet-scented Fern, Cheilanthes odora, is found, even in that 

 warm and sunny region, on the south side of bare rocks and 

 walls, where it is exposed to the full rays of the sun, and 

 is sought for in vain on northern exposures. In the middle of 

 winter it is in full vigour, by the end of spring the fronds begin 

 to dry, and through the torrid summer, when the stones of the 

 walls are burning hot, its roots, fixed between the hot stones, 

 are the only parts with life. In humid valleys and recesses it 

 is not found. Other Ferns show like tendencies. This, by 

 way of proof that some of the choice Ferns may not only be 

 grown well in sunny positions, but better on them than else- 

 where. 



I was informed by Mr Atkins, of Pairiswick, who was the 

 first to bring the little Notliochlcena Marantce alive into this 

 country, that he has had it in health on a sunny rock for many 

 years, and without protection. It is reasonable to assume that 

 many Ferns, which in a wild state are found in half-shady 

 spots, would, in our colder clime, flourish best if permitted 

 to enjoy the sun, while Ferns that inhabit rocks in countries 



