CHAPTER IV 



ROCKWORK FOR FERNS 



ALTHOUGH many of native ferns are 

 eminently cosmopolitan, the successful 

 cultivation of a goodly number depends 

 largely upon simulation of natural environ- 

 ment. 



Glancing over the list of species at our dis- 

 posal we are surprised at the number which 

 the mind instantly associates with rocks. 

 Rocks not only by river and roadside, but 

 in Nature's laboratory, where the choicest 

 of fern treasures are scattered about on open 

 or shaded ledges. This association of rock 

 and fern is not accidental, but a simple de- 

 vice of Nature for inducing a lower tempera- 

 ture, moisture for the fern roots, and the 

 needful supply of disintegrating limestone 

 or other mineral matter. 



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