ggflfr THE GARDEN BOOK. OF- CALIFORNIA 



it is in a nutshell, but, as you know from observing the 

 habits of our native ferns, some seek shallow soil under the 

 rocks ; some like a little clay ; some grow on the edge of the 

 water; while others like to be well drained. In building a 

 rockery for ferns, a north side is all right, but there must 

 be some light, as, while the direct rays burn, yet the fern 

 must have warmth. Avoid sour or heavy soil. Plenty of 

 good loam, then your rocks selected, if possible, with an eye 

 to their artistic and picturesque arrangement; then, after 

 building them together, scatter your mixture of loam and 

 leaf-mold about in the crevices, and place your ferns. 

 Wind is not desirable any more than sun, and of course 

 frost must be provided against. An excellent shelter or 

 grotto may be made on a lawn or away from other build- 

 ings, from the green arundo, this cane — just common Texas 

 cane, as it is called — being the prettiest for this purpose. 

 Cut the leaves off, but leave the sheath. As it grows old 

 it silvers beautifully and becomes a thing of real charm in 

 its own coloring. Do not confuse these canes with the bam- 

 boos, which are worthless for such purposes ; and again, do 

 not upon any account be tempted to paint the exterior of 

 your shelter ! I can think of no greater atrocity that might 

 be committed in this connection, unless it might be that you 

 would have the stone-cutter square up your rocks. 



At the risk of making an imperfect sort of catalogue I 

 must name a few fems that are successfully grown under 

 glass or even in a living-room in this climate, if the condi- 

 tions of light, air and water are fulfilled properly. Adian- 



[64] 



