FERN WINDOWS. 



Let us now see how the shady windows of a 

 dwelling-house may be made beautiful by the 

 presence of Ferns. We will begin at the base- 

 ment. Here we shall find, as in thousands of 

 London and other city houses, a window or win- 

 dows looking out upon what is popularly called 

 the 'area.' Such windows are invariably im- 

 mersed in shadow, and given up as they are to 

 the domestics of the household, one may perhaps 

 not unfrequently see, as one passes, the window- 

 sills adorned by modest pots containing geraniums, 

 calceolarias, fuchsias, or the golden green leaf 

 and golden flowers of the sweet but modest musk 

 plant. Rarely do we see Ferns in such windows. 

 But why should they not be there ? Let them by 

 all means be mixed with such flowers as will 

 thrive in these windows. But when flowers need 

 to be excluded, by reason of the uncongeniality of 

 the situations, let the Ferns at least remain. By 

 the tasteful arrangement around and about such 

 windows of virgin cork, with provision of 

 * pockets ' for Ferns, or by the skilful use of 

 cement and pieces of stone, or brick disguised 

 as stone by a sprinkling of the dry powder of 



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