3 86 MY GARDEN. 



The Woodwardias rejoice in their summer removal from the close 

 house to the pure air of heaven, and even the tropical Hypolcpis 

 repens grows with great vigour in the summer months. The Platy cerium 

 alcicorne, which is apt when in the house to be attacked by cocci, 

 remains perfectly healthy in the Forest of Ferns ; and Ptcris trcmula, 

 Nephrodium molle, Pteris vesper tilionis, and Todea africana, are much 

 improved by their summer visit to the natural atmosphere, it is 

 probable that most of the exotic ferns we cultivate would be benefited 

 by being out from the 1st of June till the 1st of October, and it is 

 my intention to try every species in that position as I obtain plants. 

 Even the Indian fern Pteris argyrcea would do well out of doors during 

 that period. 



At my garden there is only one indoor fernery ; but this, as I have 

 already explained, has every gradation of heat, from the temperature 

 of the equator to the lowest in which ferns can grow. By this arrange- 

 ment we are enabled to have specimens of all the more important 

 species of ferns in the world, so arranged that they can be seen at a 

 glance (see plate 19). Experience, however, shows that every fern which 

 can live permanently out of doors, or which can be placed out during 

 the summer, flourishes better than when it grows under the artificial 

 conditions and atmosphere of a glass-house. In this glass-house some 

 ferns are grown in peat amongst blocks of sandstone, but the natural 

 temperature of the earth and the rivulet which flows through the 

 house is somewhat too low for vigorous growth. These conditions 

 lessen my power to grow ferns planted in the house itself ; and those 

 who construct fern-houses should remember that exotic ferns require 

 warm soil. Some ferns are grown in pots and in earthen pans, but 

 the pots are so arranged as to make but little show, and the first 

 impression upon a glance inside the house is that the whole fernery is 

 but a fragment of wild natural scenery covered with glass. 



Many ferns are grown in circular wire-baskets and suspended from 

 the roof, or in baskets so shaped that they may hang against pillars 

 or tli sides of the house. 



The earth usually employed for the culture of our ferns in pots 



