NEW ZEALAND GARDENING. 167 



these materials a natural looking fernery may soon be formed. 

 Failing these, ferns may be successfully grown along a south 

 wall or fence. The most successful fern growers are those 

 who copy as nearly as possible the natural habitat of each 

 fern in their collection. It is not reasonable to suppose 

 that the little stunted fern which grows in the crevices of 

 rocks, exposed to the sun, and every blast of wind will 

 thrive when subjected to the treatment necessary for the 

 denizens of damp and shady forests. 



The secret of successful fern growing under cover is to 

 protect them from the wind and sun. This may be done by 

 placing them in an enclosure covered in with thin canvas 

 (such as paper hangers use), stretched over a frame work ; or 

 in a lean-to placed against a wall or fence with a south 

 aspect. Most ferns will thrive if planted in peaty soil, or 

 decomposed nigger-head roots mixed with a little sharp sand, 

 bits of charcoal, and broken pots, and kept moist; but 

 the drainage must be good. An artificial rockery may 

 be formed by excavating the soil in the enclosure, and bank- 

 ing it up on each side of the walk. Rocks, or even clinkers 

 from the brick kiln, will answer for forming the rockery, 

 leaving sufficient space between them for planting the ferns ; 

 the stems of fern trees should be largely used when procurable. 

 Wood of any sort must, however, be avoided, as it harbours 

 woodlice, and promotes fungoid growth, which will soon 

 destroy the ferns if not eradicated. Otherwise, the old roots 

 of trees could be used with great advantage in building the 

 rockery. Roots may be used out of doors. Most ferns 

 require constant moisture at their roots, which must not, 

 however, be stagnant, and a moist atmosphere, particularly 

 in Summer, when they should be syringed morning and 

 evening. 



Growing Ferns in Pots. Where large collections of 

 ferns are kept, it will be better to grow some of them in 

 pots, as the same kind of soil will not suit all ferns. Such 

 ferns as are found in moist, shady forests, require a mixture 

 of peat mould and rotten leaves. Those that grow on 

 mountains will thrive in gravelly loam, while those that 

 flourish in peat bogs require peaty soil, and such as are 

 natives of heaths, or crevices of rocks, do best if plamed in 

 sandy, fibrous mould. With these different soils most kinds 



