4o8 



MY GARDEN. 



to cultivate. I have tried 5. Willdenovii out of doors, but though it 

 survived some years it ultimately perished. Lastly, 5. circinalis is 

 interesting, as being imported in a dry state from America, under 

 the name of the Resurrection plant ; it uncurls when moistened, but 

 as far as my experience goes does not come to life again. All these 

 plants grow in peat earth, and most of them are readily propagated 

 by division. 



The 



HORSE-TAILS. 



Equisetums, or Horse-tails, are an interesting class of 

 plants, as they contain so much silex as to 

 be capable of being used for polishing. Our 

 ground is remarkably free from these plants, 

 and we only find a few specimens of E. arvense. 

 \ have tried to introduce E. sylvaticum (fig. 932) 

 into my ferneries, but without success. It is 

 a very graceful plant, and grows in woods, in 

 places where the oak and beech ferns luxuriate. 

 When an opportunity occurs, I shall again 

 endeavour to introduce it. 



FIG. 932. Equisetum sylvaticum. 



The delicate beauty of ferns and their allies is always enchanting, 

 but my available space does not permit me to describe all the beauties 

 my garden presents to view, nor all the various forms of each fern 

 which gladden the eyes of those who are capable of appreciating 

 their loveliness. 



"For certes at my devise, 

 There is no place in Paradise 

 So good in for to dwell, or be, 

 As in that garden, thoughte me." CHAUCER. 



