THE BRITISH FERNS 147 



annual fall of leaves from the trees this a more satisfactory method of 



will be found of considerable benefit growing them in towns than is their 



to the ferns. The most valuable of relegation to a heap of brickbats in an 



the larger native ferns for garden pur- obscure corner of the back garden, 



poses is the noble royal or flowering The practice, interesting at any rate 



fern (Osmunda regalis) and its forms, to children, of growing ferns indoors, 



These should be planted in moist, peaty very often in company with green tree 



soil, preferably near to water. Under frogs, in the almost air-tight glass boxes 



favourable conditions the fronds may known as Wardian cases, bids fair to 



attain eight feet in height, and it is most become extinct. There was this much 



interesting to watch their rapid pro- about it, that the case usually being 



gress in spring. It is usually thor- crammed with ferns, the sight of it 



oughly advisable to go to the trouble afforded an interesting object lesson 



of specially providing suitable soil for in the struggle for existence to the 



the fernery. A mixture of loam and thoughtful ; but even this merit was 



peat, with a quantity of crushed stone apt to be marred by the circumstance 



or brick, will be found the most gener- that the glass of the case was generally 



ally suitable. Many of the smaller clouded over by condensed moisture, 



ferns, notably the little spleenworts Anybody who desires to inspect a 



and the small-growing aspleniums, representative collection of British ferns 



appear to the best advantage when should journey to the national gardens 



growing on a wall. It may not be very at Kew. Thanks to an ex-curator of 



easy to establish them there, but wall the gardens having been a zealous 



gardening is a most interesting form of pteridologist the collection of ferns of 



the gardening art, and, once obtained, all kinds has long been a good one, 



the results are remarkably gratifying, and consequent upon the bequest of 



Owing, no doubt, to a great extent to an extensive private collection some 



their tolerance of neglect, the hardy years ago, the collection of forms of 



ferns are largely grown as pot plants the British species is an extremely 



in dwelling-houses, and we account good one. 



