42 FERNS 



fere with each other's growth, and the con- 

 trast of the intense red against the pale-green 

 fronds is superb. This is perhaps the one 

 exception where gayety among the ferns is 

 permissible. 



CARE OF FERNS OUT OF DOORS 



Once established, the care of ferns is prac- 

 tically nothing. My ferns are rarely watered, 

 and never with the hose, unless a small stream 

 is turned on and the hose allowed to lie on 

 the ground for the purpose of soaking the 

 roots in extremely dry weather. 



One application of the full spray is as dis- 

 astrous as a tornado. I have had the beauty 

 of many choice ferns spoiled for the season 

 by the veering of the wind which blew the 

 spray from a hose, supposed to be out of 

 reach, upon them. Even the maidenhair, 

 that so-called voucher for the purity of waters 

 near which it grows, turns brown and 

 withers. 



Now and then an elimination of undesir- 



