ABOUT SOIL FOR FERNS. 



stratum of what is called loam a sort of clayey 

 earth, existing under varying circumstances in 

 varying degrees of lightness or heaviness. 



Those who may wish to learn the secret of the 

 luxuriance of Ferns in a forest, would do well to 

 study the exact position as regards soil which 

 these plants occupy, and to compare their varying 

 degrees of prosperity with the varying circum- 

 stances of their growth. If this be done, it will 

 invariably be found that the lower sides of the 

 Ferns are embedded in peat or loam, or a mixture 

 of the two, whilst the upper parts are surrounded 

 by deposits of leaf-mould. The first-mentioned 

 soils chiefly furnish the moisture required by the 

 roots and rootlets ; the leaf-mould supplies the 

 chief part of the nutriment. The particular pre- 

 ference of particular Ferns for heavier or lighter 

 subsoils of loam will be shown in the suggestions 

 which will be offered in the succeeding pages 

 for the successful culture of the various species 

 of our native Ferns. 



It may happen, however, that access to a wood 

 or forest is not easily secured, and that the rough 

 soil of the garden with such sandy loam as can 



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