FERNS 255 



be mixed up with shells and corals, or similar things which 

 are entirely out of place. To start a rockery, say under a 

 north wall, the ground should be well forked up, and as a 

 foundation any broken brick rubbish may well be mixed 

 with the subsoil to drain it and keep it sweet; if the soil 

 generally be good garden soil and not clayey it will do as it 

 is, though an addition of leaf-mould is always advantageous. 

 The bed should be made nearly a foot higher than is needed 

 as it is sure to settle, and the rocks or burrs should be well 

 bedded in irregularly, leaving spaces between for planting 

 the Ferns subsequently. When finished water well and let it 

 settle, then plant the Ferns singly close under the edges of 

 the rocks, so that their crowns are just level with the soil 

 but not covered, water them well in, and the work is done. 

 Care must be used in planting so that small growers are 

 not hidden by larger ones when growth sets in. Finally, 

 having made a pretty rockery in a good place, do not do 

 as nearly everybody does, forget all about the beautiful 

 varieties we have mentioned and crowd up your space with 

 common Ferns, which those who know regard as weeds. 



Ferns in the House. Many of our finest varieties will 

 form lovely specimens in well-lighted north or shaded 

 windows, if grown in pots, kept properly watered, and, 

 above all things, always retained in one position. Ferns, 

 like all other plants, will grow towards the light, and arrange 

 their fronds to catch as much of it as they can, the result 

 being a very graceful one, yet innumerable people, ladies 

 especially, who grow Ferns indoors in windows, will keep 

 turning them round to face the company, i.e. turn their backs 

 to the light. Now, as many Ferns are practically developing 

 new fronds all through the growing season, and these fronds 

 as they unroll bend towards the light, stiffening as they 

 develop, a Fern thus twisted and turned about becomes in 

 itself twisted and out of shape, and all its native elegance is 

 spoiled. The best plan is to mark the pot itself and keep that 

 mark always either to back or front as the case may be. 

 Much as Ferns like water, it is not well to let them stand in 

 saucers full of it. A good plan is to use a large saucer and in- 

 sert a smaller one inside it in which the pot stands. The large 

 saucer can then be kept filled and will supply the pot, not by 

 soakage, but by percolation through the smaller saucer, a much 

 healthier way. The more light, but not sun, the sturdier 

 the Fern ; no Fern will thrive in a dark corner far away from 

 the window, and gas fumes are poison to the hardiest. 



Ferns in Wardian Cases. Practically the only satisfac- 

 tory Ferns for Wardian cases are the Filmies ; all others are 



