168 HAEDY FEKNS. 



within tlie walk, formed at the foot of the bank, would be an 

 excellent place for Ferns growing in wet places, the Osmunda 

 regalis for instance. The outside terraces of the bank would 

 be an excellent position for Ferns found wild on high grounds 

 or rocky situations. 



If a long straight bank should, from choice or space, be 

 considered preferable to a circle, then let it be formed to run 

 east and west, the side facing the south to receive Ferns that 

 are naturally found on rocks exposed to the sun ; but, as these 

 are few in number compared with such as grow in shady 

 moist places, the bank should be formed much broader on the 

 north side than the south, a thing easily done by carrying it 

 out further on that side. The material of the bank may 

 consist of almost anything; even clay would not be objection- 

 able, only let there be a sufficient bed of good proper soil for 

 the Ferns to grow in. The soil for each species we will 

 mention when we describe them ; but a general compost, 

 which will suit the greater part, consists of sandy peat, leaf 

 mould, and loam, in equal parts. Great care, however, must 

 be taken, that neither in the material of which the bank 

 is formed nor the soil there are any roots of perennial weeds, 

 such as Thistles, Nettles, the Creeping Convolvulus, Coltsfoot, 

 or Couch-grass. When any of these are left in, they are very 

 difficult to eradicate. Avoid them as you would the plague. 



CULTURE IN POTS. 



The species that are found in dry situations, such, for 

 instance, as the Asplenium tricJiomanes, should be well drained,, 

 and potted in sandy peat and loam, thoroughly mixed with 

 broken potsherds or small stones limestone is the best. 

 Whilst those which grow in damp places, such as Osmunda 

 regalis, should be potted in strong loam. Others that are 

 found in shady woods or banks, should have a free admixture 

 of leaf mould, not too much decayed, added to the compost. 

 The moisture-loving species should be plunged behind a wall 



