302 OUR ROCK-GARDEN 



"Where the copsewood is the greenest, 

 Where the fountain glistens sheenest, 

 Where the morning dew lies longest," 



as that happy blending of shade and moisture where 

 ferns would flourish luxuriantly, adding 



" There the lady fern grows strongest." 



In such a situation its somewhat pale green fronds, 

 so rich and delicate in form, may grow three feet 

 high or more. These fronds form a rather dense 

 mass as a whole, and droop very gracefully at their 

 extremities. It is much more common in Ireland 

 than in England, the greater humidity of the climate 

 favouring it. 



We read in the "Compleat Herbal " of Pechey, 

 a book published in 1694, that " of the ashes of the 

 Female Fern are made with Water, Balls, and 

 being dried in the Sun, they wash their Clothes 

 with them insted of Soap. But before they use 

 them they put them in a light Fire till they are red 

 hot and then they will easily powder. This fern is 

 used in Sussex to burn Lime, for the Flame of it is 

 very violent, and therefore very fit for that Use. 

 The Juice of the Root is good for Burns. Some 

 poor people have been forc'd in a great Scarcity of 

 Corn to make Bread of this Root," but in our 

 rock-garden it lives a very happy, peaceful life, 

 appreciated for its beauty alone ; we neither wash 



