e r n s 



Should a Rockery effect be desired in conjunction with the 

 Fernery, place the rocks (which should be if possible of a porous 

 nature) on top of the soil, allowing a layer of soil of at least 

 one-half of an inch to lie between each rock; avoid building 

 the so-called pockets into the Rockery as this invariably leads to 

 sour soil, and sour soil means sickly plants. 



The comfort of the plants should be the first consideration 

 and should not be sacrificed to the appearance of the rockwork. 



When the rockwork is finished, the plants should be got 

 together and a system of planting laid out. The larger Ferns, 

 including the Tree Ferns, should first be arranged and planted; 

 afterwards those of medium growth should be placed in their 

 positions, and then the smaller and dwarf kinds. 



The best Tree Ferns for the beginner to experiment with are 

 the Dicksonia Antartica and the Alsophila australis as they 

 are both vigorous growers and are among the noblest and most 

 beautiful of any. When planting, set them out in group-form 

 irregularly, and from five to ten feet apart; under and among 

 them plant such kinds as Woodwardia, the stronger growing 

 Asplenium, Polystichum, Lastrea, Polypodium, Osmunda, 

 Blechnum Braziliense, Pteris tremula, and also our native Sword 

 Fern. Then, to finish the group, plant, near the walk, the 

 smaller and dwarf species such as the Five-finger Fern, the Deer 

 Fern, Blechnum spicant, Scolopendrum, Adiantum capillus 

 veneris, Cystopteris fragilis, Woodsia, etc. 



The most of the foregoing are evergreen, delighting in per- 

 petual moisture, and should be given every attention in the way 

 of watering, their roots never being allowed to get the least dry. 

 During dry weather they should be sprinkled at least once a day 

 overhead, water that is not too cold being used; water drawn 

 direct from city mains or from artesian wells is much too cold 

 for use in sprinkling or watering ferns or other delicately foliaged 

 plants. Especially should care be taken in watering the smaller 

 kinds which should always be watered with the watering-pot, 



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