98 FERNS 



splendid roots of the cliff brakes have really 

 more room in this rock and choicer soil than . 

 Nature often allows the species out of doors. 

 Seams in the rock insure perfect drainage. 

 Although this last named thrives on little or 

 nothing out of doors, it is certainly apprecia- 

 tive of better conditions. 



Every fern on the rock is carefully tamped 

 in, and nearly all are as well supplied with 

 soil and moisture as their out-of-door kin. 



The margin of the tray outside the base 

 to which the crystal is cemented is first 

 covered with sphagnum for drainage, a light 

 layer of soil over this, with the thinnest possi- 

 ble suggestion of stone here and there for the 

 benefit of certain fern roots which are to rest 

 thereon. Mats of walking leaf, with the 

 most beautiful mosses the autumn woods 

 can furnish, relieved by wildlings, herb 

 Robert and mitrewort, form an effective 

 setting. Heavier pins are used to fasten 

 on the tray the material used, that no gaps 

 or seams mar its beauty and lessen the chances 

 of growth. 



