INTRODUCTION. 9 



stranger has become fully settled in its new 

 home. When this is not the cause, but the 

 specimen itself, though full-grown, naturally 

 assumes a distinctly sterile character, this 

 absence of fruit will often be found counter- 

 balanced (as it is in the case of the separate 

 fronds above) by a greater size or width. As 

 regards culture, Ferns prefer a northern aspect, 

 shade, and shelter, not as indispensable indeed, 

 but as conducing to their finer and more per- 

 fect condition, growth, and development. The 

 soil they affect is a mixture of peat-earth and 

 sand, with pebbles intermingled therein, for the 

 roots in many instances to cling thereto ; their 

 only manure, that from dried leaves, or the like 

 vegetable matter. For water they are generally 

 thankful, and in setting them especially (which 

 should not be done too deeply, nor the young 

 fronds, already appearing above ground, buried) , 

 their beds should be first filled therewith to 

 receive them. In all the wall kinds, the roots 

 are best placed under the protection of the 

 stones among which they are to grow ; and in 

 most cases reference may be beneficially made 

 to their natural habits, with a view to a some- 

 what analogous treatment. It should also be 



