INTRODUCTORY. 



culture { will be an increased attention to the 

 capabilities of the Fern in decoration,' and ex- 

 pressing the hope that we may soon have ' Fern 

 paradises in every city.' 



How far the Author's suggestions may be made 

 to affect the poor, is a consideration which must 

 possess a good deal of interest for the philan- 

 thropic. There is no class of persons so in- 

 timately and largely concerned with the welfare 

 of the poor as the clergy, and it will be appro- 

 priate, therefore, to refer in this place to the 

 remarks of a journal which in an especial sense 

 represents the clergy. Says a writer in this 

 journal, ' A very happy idea has given rise to 

 4 THE FERN PARADISE.' Mr. Heath has noticed, 

 with a keen eye of sympathy, the efforts made 

 by poor dwellers in towns to reproduce in their 

 windows or courts the floral charms of the 

 country. But these efforts are commonly con- 

 fined to flowers. Why should not Ferns be 

 added ? They will grow everywhere, and they 

 do not need sunshine. He has accordingly 

 written this book chiefly to induce an interest 

 for them among this class, and to give direc- 



