250 PRACTICAL FLORICULTURE. 



Ferns or Lycopods requires somewhat similar conditions 

 as are found in the Wardian case when not grown in it ; 

 they cannot be successfully grown unless in partial shade 

 in a close, moist atmosphere. Hence it is useless to 

 attempt the cultivation of such in the dry atmosphere 

 of an ordinary sitting-room, unless they are enclosed in 

 cases. The florist can easily adapt his greenhouse to the 

 proper conditions when required, but the amateur must 

 secure these by means of a closed case of some kind. 

 For single specimens or a few ferns and the like, a glass 

 shade with a proper base of metal or earthenware is fre- 

 quently used, and is very ornamental. Ferneries of this 

 kind are sold at the principal horticultural and seed 

 stores. 



CHAPTER XL VI. 



FORMATION OF ROCK- WORK, AND PLANTS FOR 

 ROCKS. 



This feature of pleasure ground decoration is generally 

 necessitated by circumstances ; if the ground which has 

 to be chosen for that purpose is naturally stony, it often 

 becomes the cheapest way to get rid of the stones, group- 

 ing them so that they become ornamental. They may 

 often thus be used to advantage in forming breaks or 

 screens, to hide the flower garden from the vegetable or 

 fruit garden ; in this way they are laid up in rugged 

 walls, the interstices filled with soil and covered with 

 hardy perennial plants. Locations where rocks exist in 

 their natural condition can often be made highly 

 interesting and ornamental by setting out plants of a 

 climbing habit to run up them, or a drooping or trailing 

 habit to overhang them. Among those suitable for the 



