THE FEKN PARADISE. 



will be free from the injurious influence of 

 soddened soil. Stone, wood, and clay are natural 

 materials for Fern-cases ; and terra cotta, as an 

 imitation of stone, may be placed in the same 

 category. In cases constructed of these materials 

 provision is generally made for drainage, and 

 whenever it is omitted the omission should always 

 be supplied by the drilling of holes in the bottoms 

 of the cases. 



The almost universal use of clay pots for 

 flowers attests the popularity of these cheap 

 utensils ; and perhaps there is no material so free 

 from objection for the purpose of the home culti- 

 vation of Ferns, if we except stone, which is 

 equally good. Every one is, of course, familiar 

 with the common red flower-pots. But the clay, 

 figured Fern-pots are not so commonly seen. 

 They are made, however, after all kinds of 

 designs, and are extremely useful. The most 

 appropriate of the numerous designs for clay 

 Fern-pans are those figured on their sides with 

 Ferns. These pans are of all kinds, shapes, and 

 sizes, adapted to Ferns both r large and small. 

 There are clay hanging pans, which can be sus- 



164 



