26 ALPINE FLOWERS. Part \, 



in length. Adiantum pedatum grew from two to three feet in 

 height, and others were proportionally fine. The plants were 

 not drawn up by being planted closely together, but were placed 

 at a fair distance apart, and became handsome and noble spe- 

 cimens. Every spring I apply a dressing of about two inches ot 

 rotten manure to the surface, and just cover it with mould for the 

 sake of appearance. This artificial swamp is the admiration of 

 all the visitors here. The plants are always in a healthy and 

 vigorous state, and have none of that half-starved appearance so 

 frequently to be seen. The result of my experience induces me 

 to believe that a more liberal treatment would not be found 

 objectionable in the cultivation of many more of our native ferns. 

 I intend making the experiment this season, and may possibly 

 find time to make known what amount of success I may meet 

 with. In concluding my remarks upon what I may term ' grow- 

 ing Osmundas under difficulties,' I would observe that the points 

 to be principally attended to are— (i) a deep water-tight and 

 root-tight tank, the depth of which may, with advantage, be 

 more than in the case I have described ; (2) a rich nutritious 

 soil ; (3) an abundant supply of water j and (4) a drain to carry 

 off the surplus." 



Even the rare Killarney fern, usually kept in houses, may be 

 grown successfully in a cave in the rock-garden. Fig. 25 shows 

 the entrance to Mr. Backhouse's cave for growing this plant. 

 It is in a deep recess, perfectly sheltered and surrounded 

 by high rocks and banks clothed with vegetation. Here in 

 the darkness grows the Killarney fern, tufts of Hartstongue 

 guarding the entrance. It is very likely that various kinds of 

 New Zealand Trichomanes and filmy ferns will prove as .hardy 

 as the Killarney fern, and, if so, this is likely to be one ot 

 the most attractive and interesting of all phases of out-door 

 gardening. 



In connection with alpine gardens, the masses of rockwork 

 occasionally made of brick-rubbish, concrete, and cement, 

 demand some notice. The next illustration shows one of 

 these. More successful ones as regards arrangement may be 

 seen in various places near London, the best, perhaps, at Oak 

 Lodge, Addison Road, Kensington, where it was designed by 

 Mr. -Marnock, and carried out by Mr. Pulham, of Broxbourne. 



There can be no doubt that as picturesque effects may be 

 produced in this way as in any other, and that this variety of 



