i6o FERN GROWING 



six or seven feet above the ground. The surface of this 

 rockery should have a mixture of stones and soil six or 

 eight inches in depth. Seedling plants will do well in this ; 

 but plants gathered wild from a wall are almost certain to 

 have their roots damaged when gathering them. All the 

 Aspleniuvis do well grown in pots in a cool greenhouse 

 with sufficient ventilation. The Asplenium marinum is not 

 hardy, except where it naturally grows in a cave ; here it 

 clothes both the sides and the roof, even where there is 

 only a scanty supply of soil. It is to be seen growing 

 along sea cliffs, for here there is not sufficient cold in 

 winter to destroy the plants. In a greenhouse, however, it is 

 sure to flourish. The Polypodium alpestre and the Aspidium 

 Lonchites are both mountain Ferns ; their roots run along 

 the ground, and are easily gathered without damage ; but 

 they are rather difficult to cultivate ; potting without pressing 

 the soil, and giving a liberal supply of water, is essential ; 

 out of doors stones should be above them, the roots under, 

 and the fronds rising just outside the stones. Asplenium 

 septentrionale grows amongst crumbling rocks, and as it is a 

 Fern that requires peculiar rocks, it is wiser to bring away 

 with the plants a supply of the rock and soil. Potted in 

 its native soil it will flourish in a greenhouse. 



The Killarney Fern ( Trichomanes radicans) is another Fern 

 that requires special treatment : it is impatient of drought, and 

 grows well where it can enjoy the spray of a waterfall. It is 

 found at Killarney and several other places in Ireland, and has 

 been found on the Welsh coast, both by the late Mr. Backhouse 

 and by a Fern-hunter who was endeavouring to find out where 

 Mr. Backhouse had seen it. More recently it has been found 

 in Scotland. If the following plan is adopted, it will flourish as 

 well as in its natural habitat. Dig a pit 4 feet deep, and if 

 not through a rock or heavy clay, the sides will require walling 

 — it should not be less than 1 2 feet long and 6 feet wide ; on this 



