106 



CASSELL'S POPULAR GARDENING. 



only have one mixed house, than to suggest the 

 general growth of Orchids in Vineries, Peach- 

 houses, or others devoted to fruit-culture. 



But no douht quantities of Orchids may he well 

 grown in plant-stoves, either suspended from the 

 roof or in other places on the stage or shelves, in- 

 termixed with foliage or other flowering plants. 

 Douhtless at times a compromise must be struck 

 botween the different classes of plants ; in all such 

 cases the more valuable, and that will generally be 

 the Orchids, should have the preference. But really 

 the compromises will be fewer than might be 

 expected. Take for example the vital factor of 

 temperature, there is but little difference between 

 the plant-stove and the Indian or tropical Orchid- 

 house. And so also of moisture when the plants 

 are all in growing condition. 



Most of the cool Orchids will agree equally well 

 with the main treatment accorded to not a few 

 flowering plants in the conservatory, and to the 

 somewhat close, rather warmer, and semi-saturation 

 system adopted with such plants as Azaleas and 

 Camellias after blooming. And thus it comes to 

 pass that it is often possible to grow cool Orchids in 

 the warm conservatory, and tropical Orchids in the 

 plant-stove, almost, if not equally, as well as in 

 houses specially devoted to either. 



Hence, while those with large collections will 

 doubtless continue to separate stove-plants and 

 Orchids into separate and distinct houses, there is 

 nothing to hinder amateurs, or others, with only one 

 cool, and another tropical plant-house, growing very 

 good mixed collections of both stove-plants and 

 Orchids in one or, at most, two houses. Whatever 

 specialists may thiak of those mixed collections, 

 there can be no doubt that the system brings Orchids 

 within reach of many who otherwise could have 

 never cultivated nor enjoyed them. 



By the use of Wardian cases, or simply partition- 

 ing off small portions of common conservatories, and 

 heating the enclosed areas with some of the manj- 

 forms of gas-stoves, or a coil of hot-water pipes from 

 the kitchen or other fire, a compartment for Orchids 

 may even be introduced with rather startling effect 

 among cool ferns or a general collection of conserva- 

 tory plants. In arranging such pleasing surprises, it 

 is by no means needful to exhibit the pipes or other 

 means of warming; they may bo hidden in so 

 many and such obvious ways' as need no mention 

 here. Tastefully posted, and well filled, few arrange- 

 ments are more satisfactory to their owners or more 

 gi-atifying to visitors. The coil grates of various 

 makers, which are just like others in external ap- 

 pearance, but are provided with a coil of pipes at 

 the back of the grate, enable this to be done at a 

 very trifling cost. 



EOCK, ALPINE, TEEN, AOT) WILD 

 GAEDENESTG. 



THE EABDT FMRNERT. 

 By James Sheppaed. 



SINCE the publication of the " Fern Paradise," 

 now some yeirs ago, the desire for hardy 

 ferneries has become almost universal. Fortu- 

 nately there is nothing to prevent this growing 

 demand from being met. Ferns are almost innu- 

 merable in a state sf nature, and few plants can be 

 multiplied so rapidly by art. Mr. Britten's series- 

 of papers must have made this plain to every reader. 

 The same excellent authority also points out how 

 most of the more popular ferns may be propagated 

 and cultivated. But fortuna.tely in many parts of 

 this country even this trouble is unnecessary. A 

 day's leisure, and a fern-hunt of an bour or two's- 

 duration, will be rewarded with sufficient finds to 

 furnish a small hardy fernery. 



Nor will the plants prove the only or chief prizes 

 in such hunts. Invaluable lessons will be taught 

 concerning the habits, wants, and natural beauties of 

 the plants. Besides, it is impossible to go fern- 

 hunting in hedge-rows, coppices, or woods without 

 having our love of nature in general, 'and of ferns in 

 particular, vastly increased and intensified. 



Fortunately for fern-hunters, the plants cling very 

 much to roadsides and hedge-rows, and are thus 

 exposed to the view, and become the common 

 property of all observers. Permission may also be 

 obtained at certain seasons of the year— after the 

 pheasant-shooting is over — to have a fem-hunt in 

 most woods and coppices. Fortunately, too, there are 

 still a few commons and open spaces left on which 

 the wild ferns grow, and to scamper over these, 

 basket and trowel in hand, no man daring to make 

 the fem-hunter afraid, is a high and satisfying plea- 

 sure. "Wandering dovm the lanes, and by the banks 

 of flowing streams, ferns of many soi-ts, and all sizes, 

 may bo found. In some districts the common 

 Golden Polypody almost overmasters the Ivy in 

 draping the trees, while the Bracken, the Hart's 

 Tongue, the Male, Lady, Royal, Buckler, and Shield 

 Ferns monopolise the land, even to the destruction 

 of rushes and grass. 



A few fem-hunts over such grounds — and they 

 abound in Devonshire and many other counties, 

 not excluding the arid clime of East AngUa— 

 convert the hunter into a ferwl admirer of ferns 

 as long as life lasts. It fosters an enthusiasm and a 

 love for these green children of nature which will 

 never die out. Fem-hunts are also the best teachers 

 of all about ferns. More may be learned of their 

 forms, character, habits, culture, and beauty in one 



