i8a GARDENS PAST AND PRESENT 



to its wants. But probably all fern-lovers will 

 agree that the best situation will always be one 

 which comes nearest to that which is natural to 

 any particular species which may be in question. 

 Shield ferns are often found growing on drier 

 banks than suit the majority of their kindred. 

 Osmunda likes a moist situation, but prefers its 

 crowns to be above water-line. The male fern is 

 often found growing out of a ha-ha wall ; but the 

 earth behind it is always more or less damp. The 

 finest broad buckler ferns and lady ferns are to be 

 sought for low down within the sheltering sides 

 of a wet ditch. I have even heard of a fern walk 

 which was constructed somewhat after the pattern 

 of an adit the horizontal entrance to a mine with 

 deep sides to give protection from wind. 



Thus ferns may be used in many delightful 

 ways, to fringe the water side, or planted along 

 the verges of a coppice ride; sometimes in the 

 bay of a shrubbery border, or in hollows or nooks 

 amongst shelving rocks or stones, according to 

 their stature; and sometimes it may be possible 

 to plan a fern glade or dell. They will look well, 

 in fact, in any position where they may seem to 

 have taken up their abode without asking leave. 

 But, of all plants, ferns are the least suitable for 

 formal arrangements, and, if practicable, should 

 be planted, far from dust and disturbing draughts, 

 in cool, moist spots where their exquisite greenery 

 may reach to the utmost perfection; and yet, so 

 accommodating are they that fine specimens may 

 often be seen growing in the unlikely quarters of 

 a dry and dusty London area. 



