THE FERN PARADISE. 



the recent increase in the delightful practice is no 

 doubt due to the same cause. Our big towns and 

 cities have been acquiring an accelerated rate of 

 growth. Houses have thus, by a rapid process of 

 extension, been blotting out the green fields and 

 hedgerows. In London this process has perhaps 

 acquired a greater degree of development than 

 elsewhere ; but, wherever it has been in operation, 

 the withdrawal of the country has increased the 

 desire of those who have thus been gradually 

 enfolded more and more completely within the 

 stifling domain of bricks and mortar, to compen- 

 sate for the absence of green fields by surrounding 

 themselves with something which is fresh and 

 green. 



To a certain extent this desire has been met by 

 the formation of parks or public gardens within 

 central and densely-populated town districts ; but 

 the requirements of health and enjoyment have 

 not been sufficiently met by such means, the 

 number of public gardens in the Metropolis and 

 elsewhere being far too small. 



Next to the public parks and gardens the 

 gardens of dwelling-houses in town districts help 



28* 



