THE FERN PARADISE. 



cistern might be made to contribute to the neces- 

 sities of the Ferns, and, when desired, a small 

 fountain can, at little expense, be constructed in 

 such a way as to fling its spray over the rockwork 

 extemporized upon the leads. 



Outside the shady bedroom windows of a house 

 it is not unusual to find a balcony too small to 

 admit of sranding-room, but provided with a 

 leaden bottom offering a shady site for a little 

 cluster of rocks and Ferns. In such bedroom 

 window ' wells,' as they may not inappropriately 

 be called, there is sure to be a provision for 

 draining off the rain-water ; and the same pro- 

 vision will answer for draining a Fern rockery. 



There are the skylight windows of a house 

 to be considered. How shall we place Ferns 

 there ? We can do so by bringing suspending 

 cords and wire baskets into requisition, and 

 we can thus make even our dismal skylights 

 beautiful with the soft, green beauty of our 

 flowerless favourites. 



Who, indeed, will longer be content to let his 

 shady windows remain bleak and bare when he 

 can make them charming bv association with 



184 



